Article 1 
Subject matter This Regulation establishes a framework for the production of comparable Community statistics on the structure of agricultural holdings and for a survey on agricultural production methods.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL This initiative aims to secure financing for the 2016 Farm Structure Survey and related projects. Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods requires Farm Structure Surveys (FSS) to be carried out in the form of an agricultural census in 2010 and as sample surveys in 2013 and 2016. It also requires a survey on agricultural production methods to be carried out in 2010 or 2011. The Member States and the Commission need considerable funding to carry out these surveys. According to the Regulation, the EU can cover a maximum of 75 % of a Member State’s costs of carrying them out. The maximum amounts that the reimbursements are capped at are defined per country. Since the surveys are spread out over two multi-annual financial framework periods, it was not possible to fix their entire financing at the same time. Under Article 14 of Regulation 1166/2008, the budgetary and legislative authority must fix the financial framework for FSS 2016 on a proposal from the Commission and based on the new financial framework for the period starting in 2014. Moreover, the accession of Croatia to the European Union must be taken into account. This means that the Regulation needs to be amended also to include the maximum contribution to Croatia. The European Statistical System (ESS) strategy states that, the European Statistical System Committee (ESSC) should have an advisory role and assist the Commission in exercising its implementing powers. This means that the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics should be replaced by the ESSC for comitology procedures. This proposal updates Regulation 1166/2008 as follows: (i) establishes the financial framework 2014-18; (ii) sets out the EU’s maximum financial contribution to Croatia’s costs of carrying out the FSS; and (iii) changes the committee that assists the Commission. The Farm Structure Surveys have been carried out in a harmonised way across the European Union, based on legal acts, since 1966. The present Regulation 1166/2008 is one in a series of legal acts on the subject, and the proposal to amend this Regulation is therefore fully consistent with European Statistical Programme and Union policies. 
Revised version (Article 1 Subject matter):
This Regulation establishes a framework for the production of comparable Community statistics on the structure of agricultural holdings and for a survey on agricultural production methods.
Article 2 
Definitions For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply: (a) ‘agricultural holding’ or ‘holding’ means a single unit, both technically and economically, which has a single management and which undertakes agricultural activities listed in Annex I within the economic territory of the European Union, either as its primary or secondary activity; (b) ‘livestock unit’ means a standard measurement unit that allows the aggregation of the various categories of livestock in order to enable them to be compared. Livestock units are defined on the basis of the feed requirements of the individual animal categories, for which the coefficients shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 15(2); (c) ‘sample surveys’ means statistical surveys based on stratified random sampling which are designed to provide representative statistics concerning agricultural holdings at regional and national levels. The stratification shall include the size and type of the agricultural holding to ensure that agricultural holdings of different sizes and types are adequately represented; (d) ‘region’ means the NUTS 2 territorial unit defined in Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003; (e) ‘location of the holding’ means the latitude and longitude coordinates within an arc of 5 minutes that avoid the direct identification of an individual holding. If a latitude and longitude location contains only one agricultural holding, then this holding shall be attributed to a neighbouring location, which contains at least one other agricultural holding.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL This initiative aims to secure financing for the 2016 Farm Structure Survey and related projects. Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods requires Farm Structure Surveys (FSS) to be carried out in the form of an agricultural census in 2010 and as sample surveys in 2013 and 2016. It also requires a survey on agricultural production methods to be carried out in 2010 or 2011. The Member States and the Commission need considerable funding to carry out these surveys. According to the Regulation, the EU can cover a maximum of 75 % of a Member State’s costs of carrying them out. The maximum amounts that the reimbursements are capped at are defined per country. Since the surveys are spread out over two multi-annual financial framework periods, it was not possible to fix their entire financing at the same time. Under Article 14 of Regulation 1166/2008, the budgetary and legislative authority must fix the financial framework for FSS 2016 on a proposal from the Commission and based on the new financial framework for the period starting in 2014. Moreover, the accession of Croatia to the European Union must be taken into account. This means that the Regulation needs to be amended also to include the maximum contribution to Croatia. The European Statistical System (ESS) strategy states that, the European Statistical System Committee (ESSC) should have an advisory role and assist the Commission in exercising its implementing powers. This means that the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics should be replaced by the ESSC for comitology procedures. This proposal updates Regulation 1166/2008 as follows: (i) establishes the financial framework 2014-18; (ii) sets out the EU’s maximum financial contribution to Croatia’s costs of carrying out the FSS; and (iii) changes the committee that assists the Commission. The Farm Structure Surveys have been carried out in a harmonised way across the European Union, based on legal acts, since 1966. The present Regulation 1166/2008 is one in a series of legal acts on the subject, and the proposal to amend this Regulation is therefore fully consistent with European Statistical Programme and Union policies. 
Revised version (Article 2 Definitions):
For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply: (a) ‘agricultural holding’ or ‘holding’ means a single unit, both technically and economically, which has a single management and which undertakes agricultural activities listed in Annex I within the economic territory of the European Union, either as its primary or secondary activity; (b) ‘livestock unit’ means a standard measurement unit that allows the aggregation of the various categories of livestock in order to enable them to be compared. Livestock units are defined on the basis of the feed requirements of the individual animal categories, for which the coefficients shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 15(2); (c) ‘sample surveys’ means statistical surveys based on stratified random sampling which are designed to provide representative statistics concerning agricultural holdings at regional and national levels. The stratification shall include the size and type of the agricultural holding to ensure that agricultural holdings of different sizes and types are adequately represented; (d) ‘region’ means the NUTS 2 territorial unit defined in Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003; (e) ‘location of the holding’ means the latitude and longitude coordinates within an arc of 5 minutes that avoid the direct identification of an individual holding. If a latitude and longitude location contains only one agricultural holding, then this holding shall be attributed to a neighbouring location, which contains at least one other agricultural holding.
Article 3 
Coverage 1. The surveys specified in this Regulation shall cover: (a) agricultural holdings where the agricultural area utilised for farming is one hectare or more; (b) agricultural holdings where the agricultural area utilised for farming is less than one hectare, if those holdings produce a certain proportion for sale or if their production unit exceeds certain physical thresholds. 2. However, Member States which use a survey threshold above one hectare shall fix this threshold at a level that excludes only the smallest agricultural holdings which together contribute 2 % or less to the total utilised agricultural area excluding common land and 2 % or less to the total number of farm livestock units. 3. In any case, all agricultural holdings reaching one of the physical thresholds specified in Annex II shall be covered.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL This initiative aims to secure financing for the 2016 Farm Structure Survey and related projects. Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods requires Farm Structure Surveys (FSS) to be carried out in the form of an agricultural census in 2010 and as sample surveys in 2013 and 2016. It also requires a survey on agricultural production methods to be carried out in 2010 or 2011. The Member States and the Commission need considerable funding to carry out these surveys. According to the Regulation, the EU can cover a maximum of 75 % of a Member State’s costs of carrying them out. The maximum amounts that the reimbursements are capped at are defined per country. Since the surveys are spread out over two multi-annual financial framework periods, it was not possible to fix their entire financing at the same time. Under Article 14 of Regulation 1166/2008, the budgetary and legislative authority must fix the financial framework for FSS 2016 on a proposal from the Commission and based on the new financial framework for the period starting in 2014. Moreover, the accession of Croatia to the European Union must be taken into account. This means that the Regulation needs to be amended also to include the maximum contribution to Croatia. The European Statistical System (ESS) strategy states that, the European Statistical System Committee (ESSC) should have an advisory role and assist the Commission in exercising its implementing powers. This means that the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics should be replaced by the ESSC for comitology procedures. This proposal updates Regulation 1166/2008 as follows: (i) establishes the financial framework 2014-18; (ii) sets out the EU’s maximum financial contribution to Croatia’s costs of carrying out the FSS; and (iii) changes the committee that assists the Commission. The Farm Structure Surveys have been carried out in a harmonised way across the European Union, based on legal acts, since 1966. The present Regulation 1166/2008 is one in a series of legal acts on the subject, and the proposal to amend this Regulation is therefore fully consistent with European Statistical Programme and Union policies. 
Revised version (Article 3 Coverage):
1. The surveys specified in this Regulation shall cover: (a) agricultural holdings where the agricultural area utilised for farming is one hectare or more; (b) agricultural holdings where the agricultural area utilised for farming is less than one hectare, if those holdings produce a certain proportion for sale or if their production unit exceeds certain physical thresholds. 2. However, Member States which use a survey threshold above one hectare shall fix this threshold at a level that excludes only the smallest agricultural holdings which together contribute 2 % or less to the total utilised agricultural area excluding common land and 2 % or less to the total number of farm livestock units. 3. In any case, all agricultural holdings reaching one of the physical thresholds specified in Annex II shall be covered.
Article 4 
Data sources 1. Member States shall use information from the Integrated Administration and Control System provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 ( 13 ), the System for the Identification and Registration of Bovine Animals provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1760/2000 ( 14 ) and the organic farming registers set up pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 ( 15 ) provided this information is of at least equal quality to information obtained from statistical surveys. Member States may also use administrative sources associated with the cultivation of genetically modified crops and the specific rural development measures referred to in Annex III. 2. If a Member State decides to use an administrative source other than those specified in paragraph 1, the Member State shall inform the Commission in advance and shall provide details concerning the method to be used and the quality of the data from this administrative source.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL This initiative aims to secure financing for the 2016 Farm Structure Survey and related projects. Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods requires Farm Structure Surveys (FSS) to be carried out in the form of an agricultural census in 2010 and as sample surveys in 2013 and 2016. It also requires a survey on agricultural production methods to be carried out in 2010 or 2011. The Member States and the Commission need considerable funding to carry out these surveys. According to the Regulation, the EU can cover a maximum of 75 % of a Member State’s costs of carrying them out. The maximum amounts that the reimbursements are capped at are defined per country. Since the surveys are spread out over two multi-annual financial framework periods, it was not possible to fix their entire financing at the same time. Under Article 14 of Regulation 1166/2008, the budgetary and legislative authority must fix the financial framework for FSS 2016 on a proposal from the Commission and based on the new financial framework for the period starting in 2014. Moreover, the accession of Croatia to the European Union must be taken into account. This means that the Regulation needs to be amended also to include the maximum contribution to Croatia. The European Statistical System (ESS) strategy states that, the European Statistical System Committee (ESSC) should have an advisory role and assist the Commission in exercising its implementing powers. This means that the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics should be replaced by the ESSC for comitology procedures. This proposal updates Regulation 1166/2008 as follows: (i) establishes the financial framework 2014-18; (ii) sets out the EU’s maximum financial contribution to Croatia’s costs of carrying out the FSS; and (iii) changes the committee that assists the Commission. The Farm Structure Surveys have been carried out in a harmonised way across the European Union, based on legal acts, since 1966. The present Regulation 1166/2008 is one in a series of legal acts on the subject, and the proposal to amend this Regulation is therefore fully consistent with European Statistical Programme and Union policies. 
Revised version (Article 4 Data sources):
1. Member States shall use information from the Integrated Administration and Control System provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1782/2003 ( 13 ), the System for the Identification and Registration of Bovine Animals provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1760/2000 ( 14 ) and the organic farming registers set up pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 ( 15 ) provided this information is of at least equal quality to information obtained from statistical surveys. Member States may also use administrative sources associated with the cultivation of genetically modified crops and the specific rural development measures referred to in Annex III. 2. If a Member State decides to use an administrative source other than those specified in paragraph 1, the Member State shall inform the Commission in advance and shall provide details concerning the method to be used and the quality of the data from this administrative source.
Article 5 
Precision requirements 1. Member States conducting sample surveys shall ensure that the weighted survey results are statistically representative of agricultural holdings within each region and are designed to meet the precision requirements set out in Annex IV. 2. In duly justified cases the Commission shall allow Member States exceptions to the precision requirements referred to in paragraph 1 for specific regions.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL This initiative aims to secure financing for the 2016 Farm Structure Survey and related projects. Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods requires Farm Structure Surveys (FSS) to be carried out in the form of an agricultural census in 2010 and as sample surveys in 2013 and 2016. It also requires a survey on agricultural production methods to be carried out in 2010 or 2011. The Member States and the Commission need considerable funding to carry out these surveys. According to the Regulation, the EU can cover a maximum of 75 % of a Member State’s costs of carrying them out. The maximum amounts that the reimbursements are capped at are defined per country. Since the surveys are spread out over two multi-annual financial framework periods, it was not possible to fix their entire financing at the same time. Under Article 14 of Regulation 1166/2008, the budgetary and legislative authority must fix the financial framework for FSS 2016 on a proposal from the Commission and based on the new financial framework for the period starting in 2014. Moreover, the accession of Croatia to the European Union must be taken into account. This means that the Regulation needs to be amended also to include the maximum contribution to Croatia. The European Statistical System (ESS) strategy states that, the European Statistical System Committee (ESSC) should have an advisory role and assist the Commission in exercising its implementing powers. This means that the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics should be replaced by the ESSC for comitology procedures. This proposal updates Regulation 1166/2008 as follows: (i) establishes the financial framework 2014-18; (ii) sets out the EU’s maximum financial contribution to Croatia’s costs of carrying out the FSS; and (iii) changes the committee that assists the Commission. The Farm Structure Surveys have been carried out in a harmonised way across the European Union, based on legal acts, since 1966. The present Regulation 1166/2008 is one in a series of legal acts on the subject, and the proposal to amend this Regulation is therefore fully consistent with European Statistical Programme and Union policies. 
Revised version (Article 5 Precision requirements):
1. Member States conducting sample surveys shall ensure that the weighted survey results are statistically representative of agricultural holdings within each region and are designed to meet the precision requirements set out in Annex IV. 2. In duly justified cases the Commission shall allow Member States exceptions to the precision requirements referred to in paragraph 1 for specific regions.
Article 6 
Farm structure surveys 1. In 2010, 2013 and 2016, Member States shall carry out surveys on the structure of agricultural holdings, hereinafter ‘farm structure surveys’. 2. The farm structure survey in 2010 shall be carried out in the form of a census. However, sample surveys may be used for the characteristics concerning other gainful activities carried out by the labour force, listed in Annex III Section V(ii). 3. The farm structure surveys in 2013 and 2016 may be carried out as sample surveys.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL This initiative aims to secure financing for the 2016 Farm Structure Survey and related projects. Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods requires Farm Structure Surveys (FSS) to be carried out in the form of an agricultural census in 2010 and as sample surveys in 2013 and 2016. It also requires a survey on agricultural production methods to be carried out in 2010 or 2011. The Member States and the Commission need considerable funding to carry out these surveys. According to the Regulation, the EU can cover a maximum of 75 % of a Member State’s costs of carrying them out. The maximum amounts that the reimbursements are capped at are defined per country. Since the surveys are spread out over two multi-annual financial framework periods, it was not possible to fix their entire financing at the same time. Under Article 14 of Regulation 1166/2008, the budgetary and legislative authority must fix the financial framework for FSS 2016 on a proposal from the Commission and based on the new financial framework for the period starting in 2014. Moreover, the accession of Croatia to the European Union must be taken into account. This means that the Regulation needs to be amended also to include the maximum contribution to Croatia. The European Statistical System (ESS) strategy states that, the European Statistical System Committee (ESSC) should have an advisory role and assist the Commission in exercising its implementing powers. This means that the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics should be replaced by the ESSC for comitology procedures. This proposal updates Regulation 1166/2008 as follows: (i) establishes the financial framework 2014-18; (ii) sets out the EU’s maximum financial contribution to Croatia’s costs of carrying out the FSS; and (iii) changes the committee that assists the Commission. The Farm Structure Surveys have been carried out in a harmonised way across the European Union, based on legal acts, since 1966. The present Regulation 1166/2008 is one in a series of legal acts on the subject, and the proposal to amend this Regulation is therefore fully consistent with European Statistical Programme and Union policies. 
Revised version (Article 6 Farm structure surveys):
1. In 2010, 2013 and 2016, Member States shall carry out surveys on the structure of agricultural holdings, hereinafter ‘farm structure surveys’. 2. The farm structure survey in 2010 shall be carried out in the form of a census. However, sample surveys may be used for the characteristics concerning other gainful activities carried out by the labour force, listed in Annex III Section V(ii). 3. The farm structure surveys in 2013 and 2016 may be carried out as sample surveys.
Article 7 
Survey characteristics 1. Member States shall provide information on the characteristics listed in Annex III. 2. The Commission may, in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 15(2), amend the list of characteristics set out in Annex III for the farm structure surveys for 2013 and 2016. 3. If a Member State determines that a characteristic has a low or zero prevalence, the characteristic may be excluded from the data collection. That Member State shall inform the Commission in the calendar year immediately preceding the survey year about any characteristic excluded from the data collection. 4. The definitions of the characteristics shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 15(2).
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL This initiative aims to secure financing for the 2016 Farm Structure Survey and related projects. Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods requires Farm Structure Surveys (FSS) to be carried out in the form of an agricultural census in 2010 and as sample surveys in 2013 and 2016. It also requires a survey on agricultural production methods to be carried out in 2010 or 2011. The Member States and the Commission need considerable funding to carry out these surveys. According to the Regulation, the EU can cover a maximum of 75 % of a Member State’s costs of carrying them out. The maximum amounts that the reimbursements are capped at are defined per country. Since the surveys are spread out over two multi-annual financial framework periods, it was not possible to fix their entire financing at the same time. Under Article 14 of Regulation 1166/2008, the budgetary and legislative authority must fix the financial framework for FSS 2016 on a proposal from the Commission and based on the new financial framework for the period starting in 2014. Moreover, the accession of Croatia to the European Union must be taken into account. This means that the Regulation needs to be amended also to include the maximum contribution to Croatia. The European Statistical System (ESS) strategy states that, the European Statistical System Committee (ESSC) should have an advisory role and assist the Commission in exercising its implementing powers. This means that the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics should be replaced by the ESSC for comitology procedures. This proposal updates Regulation 1166/2008 as follows: (i) establishes the financial framework 2014-18; (ii) sets out the EU’s maximum financial contribution to Croatia’s costs of carrying out the FSS; and (iii) changes the committee that assists the Commission. The Farm Structure Surveys have been carried out in a harmonised way across the European Union, based on legal acts, since 1966. The present Regulation 1166/2008 is one in a series of legal acts on the subject, and the proposal to amend this Regulation is therefore fully consistent with European Statistical Programme and Union policies. 
Revised version (Article 7 Survey characteristics):
1. Member States shall provide information on the characteristics listed in Annex III. 2. The Commission may, in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 15(2), amend the list of characteristics set out in Annex III for the farm structure surveys for 2013 and 2016. 3. If a Member State determines that a characteristic has a low or zero prevalence, the characteristic may be excluded from the data collection. That Member State shall inform the Commission in the calendar year immediately preceding the survey year about any characteristic excluded from the data collection. 4. The definitions of the characteristics shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 15(2).
Article 8 
Reference periods The reference periods for the farm structure surveys in the survey years 2010, 2013 and 2016 shall be defined as follows: (a) for land characteristics specified in Annex III, a period of 12 months ending on a reference day between 1 March and 31 October of the survey year; (b) for livestock characteristics specified in Annex III, a reference day between 1 March and 31 December of the survey year; (c) for labour force characteristics specified in Annex III, a period of 12 months ending on a reference day between 1 March and 31 October of the survey year; (d) for rural development measures specified in Annex III, a period of three years ending on 31 December of the survey year.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL This initiative aims to secure financing for the 2016 Farm Structure Survey and related projects. Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods requires Farm Structure Surveys (FSS) to be carried out in the form of an agricultural census in 2010 and as sample surveys in 2013 and 2016. It also requires a survey on agricultural production methods to be carried out in 2010 or 2011. The Member States and the Commission need considerable funding to carry out these surveys. According to the Regulation, the EU can cover a maximum of 75 % of a Member State’s costs of carrying them out. The maximum amounts that the reimbursements are capped at are defined per country. Since the surveys are spread out over two multi-annual financial framework periods, it was not possible to fix their entire financing at the same time. Under Article 14 of Regulation 1166/2008, the budgetary and legislative authority must fix the financial framework for FSS 2016 on a proposal from the Commission and based on the new financial framework for the period starting in 2014. Moreover, the accession of Croatia to the European Union must be taken into account. This means that the Regulation needs to be amended also to include the maximum contribution to Croatia. The European Statistical System (ESS) strategy states that, the European Statistical System Committee (ESSC) should have an advisory role and assist the Commission in exercising its implementing powers. This means that the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics should be replaced by the ESSC for comitology procedures. This proposal updates Regulation 1166/2008 as follows: (i) establishes the financial framework 2014-18; (ii) sets out the EU’s maximum financial contribution to Croatia’s costs of carrying out the FSS; and (iii) changes the committee that assists the Commission. The Farm Structure Surveys have been carried out in a harmonised way across the European Union, based on legal acts, since 1966. The present Regulation 1166/2008 is one in a series of legal acts on the subject, and the proposal to amend this Regulation is therefore fully consistent with European Statistical Programme and Union policies. 
Revised version (Article 8 Reference periods):
The reference periods for the farm structure surveys in the survey years 2010, 2013 and 2016 shall be defined as follows: (a) for land characteristics specified in Annex III, a period of 12 months ending on a reference day between 1 March and 31 October of the survey year; (b) for livestock characteristics specified in Annex III, a reference day between 1 March and 31 December of the survey year; (c) for labour force characteristics specified in Annex III, a period of 12 months ending on a reference day between 1 March and 31 October of the survey year; (d) for rural development measures specified in Annex III, a period of three years ending on 31 December of the survey year.
Article 9 
Transmission 1. Member States shall transmit to the Commission validated survey data for the farm structure survey for 2010 by 31 March 2012. 2. For the farm structure surveys in the survey years 2013 and 2016, Member States shall transmit validated survey data to the Commission within 12 months of the end of the survey year. 3. Data relating to the rural development measures referred to in Annex III, and based on administrative records, may be transmitted to the Commission separately within 18 months of the end of the survey year. 4. The farm structure survey data transmitted to the Commission shall be in electronic form and at the level of individual agricultural holdings. 5. The Commission shall determine the format for the transmission of the survey data. 6. The farm structure survey data shall not be used by the Commission for drawing samples or for carrying out surveys.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL This initiative aims to secure financing for the 2016 Farm Structure Survey and related projects. Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods requires Farm Structure Surveys (FSS) to be carried out in the form of an agricultural census in 2010 and as sample surveys in 2013 and 2016. It also requires a survey on agricultural production methods to be carried out in 2010 or 2011. The Member States and the Commission need considerable funding to carry out these surveys. According to the Regulation, the EU can cover a maximum of 75 % of a Member State’s costs of carrying them out. The maximum amounts that the reimbursements are capped at are defined per country. Since the surveys are spread out over two multi-annual financial framework periods, it was not possible to fix their entire financing at the same time. Under Article 14 of Regulation 1166/2008, the budgetary and legislative authority must fix the financial framework for FSS 2016 on a proposal from the Commission and based on the new financial framework for the period starting in 2014. Moreover, the accession of Croatia to the European Union must be taken into account. This means that the Regulation needs to be amended also to include the maximum contribution to Croatia. The European Statistical System (ESS) strategy states that, the European Statistical System Committee (ESSC) should have an advisory role and assist the Commission in exercising its implementing powers. This means that the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics should be replaced by the ESSC for comitology procedures. This proposal updates Regulation 1166/2008 as follows: (i) establishes the financial framework 2014-18; (ii) sets out the EU’s maximum financial contribution to Croatia’s costs of carrying out the FSS; and (iii) changes the committee that assists the Commission. The Farm Structure Surveys have been carried out in a harmonised way across the European Union, based on legal acts, since 1966. The present Regulation 1166/2008 is one in a series of legal acts on the subject, and the proposal to amend this Regulation is therefore fully consistent with European Statistical Programme and Union policies. 
Revised version (Article 9 Transmission):
1. Member States shall transmit to the Commission validated survey data for the farm structure survey for 2010 by 31 March 2012. 2. For the farm structure surveys in the survey years 2013 and 2016, Member States shall transmit validated survey data to the Commission within 12 months of the end of the survey year. 3. Data relating to the rural development measures referred to in Annex III, and based on administrative records, may be transmitted to the Commission separately within 18 months of the end of the survey year. 4. The farm structure survey data transmitted to the Commission shall be in electronic form and at the level of individual agricultural holdings. 5. The Commission shall determine the format for the transmission of the survey data. 6. The farm structure survey data shall not be used by the Commission for drawing samples or for carrying out surveys.
Article 10 
Sampling frame For the purposes of updating the sampling frame for the farm structure surveys in 2013 and 2016, Member States shall provide the national authorities responsible for farm structure surveys with access to information on agricultural holdings contained in administrative files compiled on their national territory.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL This initiative aims to secure financing for the 2016 Farm Structure Survey and related projects. Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods requires Farm Structure Surveys (FSS) to be carried out in the form of an agricultural census in 2010 and as sample surveys in 2013 and 2016. It also requires a survey on agricultural production methods to be carried out in 2010 or 2011. The Member States and the Commission need considerable funding to carry out these surveys. According to the Regulation, the EU can cover a maximum of 75 % of a Member State’s costs of carrying them out. The maximum amounts that the reimbursements are capped at are defined per country. Since the surveys are spread out over two multi-annual financial framework periods, it was not possible to fix their entire financing at the same time. Under Article 14 of Regulation 1166/2008, the budgetary and legislative authority must fix the financial framework for FSS 2016 on a proposal from the Commission and based on the new financial framework for the period starting in 2014. Moreover, the accession of Croatia to the European Union must be taken into account. This means that the Regulation needs to be amended also to include the maximum contribution to Croatia. The European Statistical System (ESS) strategy states that, the European Statistical System Committee (ESSC) should have an advisory role and assist the Commission in exercising its implementing powers. This means that the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics should be replaced by the ESSC for comitology procedures. This proposal updates Regulation 1166/2008 as follows: (i) establishes the financial framework 2014-18; (ii) sets out the EU’s maximum financial contribution to Croatia’s costs of carrying out the FSS; and (iii) changes the committee that assists the Commission. The Farm Structure Surveys have been carried out in a harmonised way across the European Union, based on legal acts, since 1966. The present Regulation 1166/2008 is one in a series of legal acts on the subject, and the proposal to amend this Regulation is therefore fully consistent with European Statistical Programme and Union policies. 
Revised version (Article 10 Sampling frame):
For the purposes of updating the sampling frame for the farm structure surveys in 2013 and 2016, Member States shall provide the national authorities responsible for farm structure surveys with access to information on agricultural holdings contained in administrative files compiled on their national territory.
Article 11 
Survey on agricultural production methods 1. Member States shall carry out a survey on agricultural production methods used by agricultural holdings. This survey may be carried out as a sample survey. 2. In duly justified cases, the Commission may allow a Member State to carry out the sample survey using separate sub-samples. 3. Member States shall provide information on the characteristics of the agricultural production methods listed in Annex V. 4. For each holding surveyed, Member States shall also provide an estimation of the volume of water used for irrigation on the holding (in cubic metres). The estimation may be produced by means of a model. 5. The Commission shall provide Member States with methodological and other support in order to construct the model referred to in paragraph 4. In addition, the Commission shall promote the necessary cooperation and sharing of experiences between Member States in order to obtain comparable results. 6. If a Member State determines that a characteristic has a low or zero prevalence, the characteristic may be excluded from the data collection. That Member State shall inform the Commission in the calendar year immediately preceding the survey year about any characteristic excluded from the data collection. 7. The definitions of the characteristics shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 15(2). 8. The reference period shall coincide with the reference periods used for the characteristics of the farm structure survey in 2010. 9. The results of this survey shall be linked to the data obtained from the farm structure survey in 2010 at the level of individual agricultural holdings. The combined validated data set shall be transmitted to the Commission in electronic form by 31 December 2012 at the latest. 10. The Commission shall determine the format for the transmission of the survey data. 11. The data on agricultural production methods shall not be used by the Commission for drawing samples or for carrying out surveys.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL This initiative aims to secure financing for the 2016 Farm Structure Survey and related projects. Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods requires Farm Structure Surveys (FSS) to be carried out in the form of an agricultural census in 2010 and as sample surveys in 2013 and 2016. It also requires a survey on agricultural production methods to be carried out in 2010 or 2011. The Member States and the Commission need considerable funding to carry out these surveys. According to the Regulation, the EU can cover a maximum of 75 % of a Member State’s costs of carrying them out. The maximum amounts that the reimbursements are capped at are defined per country. Since the surveys are spread out over two multi-annual financial framework periods, it was not possible to fix their entire financing at the same time. Under Article 14 of Regulation 1166/2008, the budgetary and legislative authority must fix the financial framework for FSS 2016 on a proposal from the Commission and based on the new financial framework for the period starting in 2014. Moreover, the accession of Croatia to the European Union must be taken into account. This means that the Regulation needs to be amended also to include the maximum contribution to Croatia. The European Statistical System (ESS) strategy states that, the European Statistical System Committee (ESSC) should have an advisory role and assist the Commission in exercising its implementing powers. This means that the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics should be replaced by the ESSC for comitology procedures. This proposal updates Regulation 1166/2008 as follows: (i) establishes the financial framework 2014-18; (ii) sets out the EU’s maximum financial contribution to Croatia’s costs of carrying out the FSS; and (iii) changes the committee that assists the Commission. The Farm Structure Surveys have been carried out in a harmonised way across the European Union, based on legal acts, since 1966. The present Regulation 1166/2008 is one in a series of legal acts on the subject, and the proposal to amend this Regulation is therefore fully consistent with European Statistical Programme and Union policies. 
Revised version (Article 11 Survey on agricultural production methods):
1. Member States shall carry out a survey on agricultural production methods used by agricultural holdings. This survey may be carried out as a sample survey. 2. In duly justified cases, the Commission may allow a Member State to carry out the sample survey using separate sub-samples. 3. Member States shall provide information on the characteristics of the agricultural production methods listed in Annex V. 4. For each holding surveyed, Member States shall also provide an estimation of the volume of water used for irrigation on the holding (in cubic metres). The estimation may be produced by means of a model. 5. The Commission shall provide Member States with methodological and other support in order to construct the model referred to in paragraph 4. In addition, the Commission shall promote the necessary cooperation and sharing of experiences between Member States in order to obtain comparable results. 6. If a Member State determines that a characteristic has a low or zero prevalence, the characteristic may be excluded from the data collection. That Member State shall inform the Commission in the calendar year immediately preceding the survey year about any characteristic excluded from the data collection. 7. The definitions of the characteristics shall be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 15(2). 8. The reference period shall coincide with the reference periods used for the characteristics of the farm structure survey in 2010. 9. The results of this survey shall be linked to the data obtained from the farm structure survey in 2010 at the level of individual agricultural holdings. The combined validated data set shall be transmitted to the Commission in electronic form by 31 December 2012 at the latest. 10. The Commission shall determine the format for the transmission of the survey data. 11. The data on agricultural production methods shall not be used by the Commission for drawing samples or for carrying out surveys.
Article 12 
Reports 1. National methodological reports shall be provided by Member States for the surveys covered by this Regulation, describing: (a) the organisation and methodology applied; (b) the levels of precision achieved for the sample surveys referred to in this Regulation; (c) information on the quality of any administrative data sources used; and (d) the inclusion and exclusion criteria applied to meet the coverage requirements specified in Article 3. 2. The national methodological reports shall be submitted to the Commission with the validated survey results, in accordance with the deadlines specified in Article 9(1) and (2). 3. In addition to the national methodological reports required at the end of each survey, Member States shall provide the Commission with any additional information that may be required concerning the organisation and methodology of the survey.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL This initiative aims to secure financing for the 2016 Farm Structure Survey and related projects. Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods requires Farm Structure Surveys (FSS) to be carried out in the form of an agricultural census in 2010 and as sample surveys in 2013 and 2016. It also requires a survey on agricultural production methods to be carried out in 2010 or 2011. The Member States and the Commission need considerable funding to carry out these surveys. According to the Regulation, the EU can cover a maximum of 75 % of a Member State’s costs of carrying them out. The maximum amounts that the reimbursements are capped at are defined per country. Since the surveys are spread out over two multi-annual financial framework periods, it was not possible to fix their entire financing at the same time. Under Article 14 of Regulation 1166/2008, the budgetary and legislative authority must fix the financial framework for FSS 2016 on a proposal from the Commission and based on the new financial framework for the period starting in 2014. Moreover, the accession of Croatia to the European Union must be taken into account. This means that the Regulation needs to be amended also to include the maximum contribution to Croatia. The European Statistical System (ESS) strategy states that, the European Statistical System Committee (ESSC) should have an advisory role and assist the Commission in exercising its implementing powers. This means that the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics should be replaced by the ESSC for comitology procedures. This proposal updates Regulation 1166/2008 as follows: (i) establishes the financial framework 2014-18; (ii) sets out the EU’s maximum financial contribution to Croatia’s costs of carrying out the FSS; and (iii) changes the committee that assists the Commission. The Farm Structure Surveys have been carried out in a harmonised way across the European Union, based on legal acts, since 1966. The present Regulation 1166/2008 is one in a series of legal acts on the subject, and the proposal to amend this Regulation is therefore fully consistent with European Statistical Programme and Union policies. 
Revised version (Article 12 Reports):
1. National methodological reports shall be provided by Member States for the surveys covered by this Regulation, describing: (a) the organisation and methodology applied; (b) the levels of precision achieved for the sample surveys referred to in this Regulation; (c) information on the quality of any administrative data sources used; and (d) the inclusion and exclusion criteria applied to meet the coverage requirements specified in Article 3. 2. The national methodological reports shall be submitted to the Commission with the validated survey results, in accordance with the deadlines specified in Article 9(1) and (2). 3. In addition to the national methodological reports required at the end of each survey, Member States shall provide the Commission with any additional information that may be required concerning the organisation and methodology of the survey.
Article 13 
Community contribution 1. Member States shall receive a maximum financial contribution of 75 % from the Community towards the cost of carrying out the surveys defined in this Regulation, subject to the maximum amounts defined in paragraphs 3 and 4. 2. Upon the entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission shall provide the necessary technical and advisory assistance in respect of the satellite recognition of agricultural holdings, to those Member States which submit applications. 3. For the combined costs of the farm structure survey in 2010 and the survey on agricultural production methods, the Community contribution shall be limited to the maximum amounts specified below: — EUR 50 000 each for Luxembourg and Malta; — EUR 1 000 000 each for Austria, Ireland and Lithuania; — EUR 2 000 000 each for Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Portugal and the United Kingdom; — EUR 3 000 000 each for Greece, Spain and France; — EUR 4 000 000 each for Italy, Poland and Romania; and — EUR 300 000 each for all other Member States. 4. For the farm structure surveys in 2013 and 2016, the maximum amounts specified in paragraph 3 shall be reduced by 50 %. 4a. For the farm structure survey in 2016, the maximum amount for Croatia shall be EUR 500 000. 5. The Community financial contribution is financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund under Article 3(2), point (e) of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL This initiative aims to secure financing for the 2016 Farm Structure Survey and related projects. Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods requires Farm Structure Surveys (FSS) to be carried out in the form of an agricultural census in 2010 and as sample surveys in 2013 and 2016. It also requires a survey on agricultural production methods to be carried out in 2010 or 2011. The Member States and the Commission need considerable funding to carry out these surveys. According to the Regulation, the EU can cover a maximum of 75 % of a Member State’s costs of carrying them out. The maximum amounts that the reimbursements are capped at are defined per country. Since the surveys are spread out over two multi-annual financial framework periods, it was not possible to fix their entire financing at the same time. Under Article 14 of Regulation 1166/2008, the budgetary and legislative authority must fix the financial framework for FSS 2016 on a proposal from the Commission and based on the new financial framework for the period starting in 2014. Moreover, the accession of Croatia to the European Union must be taken into account. This means that the Regulation needs to be amended also to include the maximum contribution to Croatia. The European Statistical System (ESS) strategy states that, the European Statistical System Committee (ESSC) should have an advisory role and assist the Commission in exercising its implementing powers. This means that the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics should be replaced by the ESSC for comitology procedures. This proposal updates Regulation 1166/2008 as follows: (i) establishes the financial framework 2014-18; (ii) sets out the EU’s maximum financial contribution to Croatia’s costs of carrying out the FSS; and (iii) changes the committee that assists the Commission. The Farm Structure Surveys have been carried out in a harmonised way across the European Union, based on legal acts, since 1966. The present Regulation 1166/2008 is one in a series of legal acts on the subject, and the proposal to amend this Regulation is therefore fully consistent with European Statistical Programme and Union policies. 
Revised version (Article 13 Community contribution):
1. Member States shall receive a maximum financial contribution of 75 % from the Community towards the cost of carrying out the surveys defined in this Regulation, subject to the maximum amounts defined in paragraphs 3 and 4. 2. Upon the entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission shall provide the necessary technical and advisory assistance in respect of the satellite recognition of agricultural holdings, to those Member States which submit applications. 3. For the combined costs of the farm structure survey in 2010 and the survey on agricultural production methods, the Community contribution shall be limited to the maximum amounts specified below: — EUR 50 000 each for Luxembourg and Malta; — EUR 1 000 000 each for Austria, Ireland and Lithuania; — EUR 2 000 000 each for Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Portugal and the United Kingdom; — EUR 3 000 000 each for Greece, Spain and France; — EUR 4 000 000 each for Italy, Poland and Romania; and — EUR 300 000 each for all other Member States. 4. For the farm structure surveys in 2013 and 2016, the maximum amounts specified in paragraph 3 shall be reduced by 50 %. 4a. For the farm structure survey in 2016, the maximum amount for Croatia shall be EUR 500 000. 5. The Community financial contribution is financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund under Article 3(2), point (e) of Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005.
Article 14 
Financial framework 1. The financial envelope for the implementation of this programme of surveys, including the appropriations necessary for the management, maintenance and development of the database systems used within the Commission to process the data supplied by Member States under the provisions of this Regulation, shall be EUR 58 850 000 for the period 2008-2013. 2. The financial envelope for the implementation of the farm structure surveys in 2016, including the appropriations necessary for the management, maintenance and development of the database systems used within the Commission to process the data supplied by Member States under this Regulation, shall be EUR 20 650 000 for the period 2014-2018. 3. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial framework. 4. The Commission shall implement Union financial support in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 16 ).
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL This initiative aims to secure financing for the 2016 Farm Structure Survey and related projects. Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods requires Farm Structure Surveys (FSS) to be carried out in the form of an agricultural census in 2010 and as sample surveys in 2013 and 2016. It also requires a survey on agricultural production methods to be carried out in 2010 or 2011. The Member States and the Commission need considerable funding to carry out these surveys. According to the Regulation, the EU can cover a maximum of 75 % of a Member State’s costs of carrying them out. The maximum amounts that the reimbursements are capped at are defined per country. Since the surveys are spread out over two multi-annual financial framework periods, it was not possible to fix their entire financing at the same time. Under Article 14 of Regulation 1166/2008, the budgetary and legislative authority must fix the financial framework for FSS 2016 on a proposal from the Commission and based on the new financial framework for the period starting in 2014. Moreover, the accession of Croatia to the European Union must be taken into account. This means that the Regulation needs to be amended also to include the maximum contribution to Croatia. The European Statistical System (ESS) strategy states that, the European Statistical System Committee (ESSC) should have an advisory role and assist the Commission in exercising its implementing powers. This means that the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics should be replaced by the ESSC for comitology procedures. This proposal updates Regulation 1166/2008 as follows: (i) establishes the financial framework 2014-18; (ii) sets out the EU’s maximum financial contribution to Croatia’s costs of carrying out the FSS; and (iii) changes the committee that assists the Commission. The Farm Structure Surveys have been carried out in a harmonised way across the European Union, based on legal acts, since 1966. The present Regulation 1166/2008 is one in a series of legal acts on the subject, and the proposal to amend this Regulation is therefore fully consistent with European Statistical Programme and Union policies. 
Revised version (Article 14 Financial framework):
1. The financial envelope for the implementation of this programme of surveys, including the appropriations necessary for the management, maintenance and development of the database systems used within the Commission to process the data supplied by Member States under the provisions of this Regulation, shall be EUR 58 850 000 for the period 2008-2013. 2. The financial envelope for the implementation of the farm structure surveys in 2016, including the appropriations necessary for the management, maintenance and development of the database systems used within the Commission to process the data supplied by Member States under this Regulation, shall be EUR 20 650 000 for the period 2014-2018. 3. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial framework. 4. The Commission shall implement Union financial support in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 16 ).
Article 14a Protection of the financial interests of the Union
1. The Commission shall take appropriate measures to ensure that, where activities financed under this Regulation are implemented, the financial interests of the Union are protected through the application of preventive measures against fraud, corruption and any other illegal activities, through effective checks and, if irregularities are detected, through the recovery of the amounts wrongly paid and, where appropriate, through the imposition of effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties. 2. The Commission or its representatives and the Court of Auditors shall have the power of audit, on the basis of documents and on-the-spot, over all grant beneficiaries, contractors and subcontractors who have received Union funds under the programme. The European Anti-fraud Office (OLAF) may carry out on-the-spot checks and inspections on economic operators concerned directly or indirectly by such funding in accordance with the procedures laid down in Council Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 2185/96 ( 17 ) with a view to establishing whether there has been fraud, corruption or any other illegal activity affecting the financial interests of the Union in connection with a grant agreement or grant decision or a contract concerning Union funding. Without prejudice to the first and second subparagraphs, cooperation agreements with third countries and international organisations, and grant agreements, grant decisions and contracts resulting from the implementation of this Regulation shall expressly empower the Commission, the Court of Auditors and OLAF to conduct such audits, on-the-spot checks and inspections.
Article 15 
Committee 1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics established by Decision 72/279/EEC. 2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5a(1) to (4) and Article 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL This initiative aims to secure financing for the 2016 Farm Structure Survey and related projects. Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods requires Farm Structure Surveys (FSS) to be carried out in the form of an agricultural census in 2010 and as sample surveys in 2013 and 2016. It also requires a survey on agricultural production methods to be carried out in 2010 or 2011. The Member States and the Commission need considerable funding to carry out these surveys. According to the Regulation, the EU can cover a maximum of 75 % of a Member State’s costs of carrying them out. The maximum amounts that the reimbursements are capped at are defined per country. Since the surveys are spread out over two multi-annual financial framework periods, it was not possible to fix their entire financing at the same time. Under Article 14 of Regulation 1166/2008, the budgetary and legislative authority must fix the financial framework for FSS 2016 on a proposal from the Commission and based on the new financial framework for the period starting in 2014. Moreover, the accession of Croatia to the European Union must be taken into account. This means that the Regulation needs to be amended also to include the maximum contribution to Croatia. The European Statistical System (ESS) strategy states that, the European Statistical System Committee (ESSC) should have an advisory role and assist the Commission in exercising its implementing powers. This means that the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics should be replaced by the ESSC for comitology procedures. This proposal updates Regulation 1166/2008 as follows: (i) establishes the financial framework 2014-18; (ii) sets out the EU’s maximum financial contribution to Croatia’s costs of carrying out the FSS; and (iii) changes the committee that assists the Commission. The Farm Structure Surveys have been carried out in a harmonised way across the European Union, based on legal acts, since 1966. The present Regulation 1166/2008 is one in a series of legal acts on the subject, and the proposal to amend this Regulation is therefore fully consistent with European Statistical Programme and Union policies. 
Revised version (Article 15 Committee):
1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics established by Decision 72/279/EEC. 2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5a(1) to (4) and Article 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.
Article 16 
Derogations 1. By way of derogation from Articles 6(1) and (2), 8, 9(1), 11(8) and (9), 13(3), Annex III and Annex IV, the references to the year 2010 shall be replaced by references to the year 2009 for Greece, Spain and Portugal. 2. By way of derogation from Article 9(1), the reference to 31 March 2012 shall be replaced by: (a) 31 March 2011 for Greece and Portugal; (b) 30 June 2011 for Spain; (c) 30 June 2012 for Italy and Romania. 3. By way of derogation from Article 11(9), the reference to 31 December 2012 shall be replaced by 31 December 2011 for Greece, Spain and Portugal.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL This initiative aims to secure financing for the 2016 Farm Structure Survey and related projects. Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods requires Farm Structure Surveys (FSS) to be carried out in the form of an agricultural census in 2010 and as sample surveys in 2013 and 2016. It also requires a survey on agricultural production methods to be carried out in 2010 or 2011. The Member States and the Commission need considerable funding to carry out these surveys. According to the Regulation, the EU can cover a maximum of 75 % of a Member State’s costs of carrying them out. The maximum amounts that the reimbursements are capped at are defined per country. Since the surveys are spread out over two multi-annual financial framework periods, it was not possible to fix their entire financing at the same time. Under Article 14 of Regulation 1166/2008, the budgetary and legislative authority must fix the financial framework for FSS 2016 on a proposal from the Commission and based on the new financial framework for the period starting in 2014. Moreover, the accession of Croatia to the European Union must be taken into account. This means that the Regulation needs to be amended also to include the maximum contribution to Croatia. The European Statistical System (ESS) strategy states that, the European Statistical System Committee (ESSC) should have an advisory role and assist the Commission in exercising its implementing powers. This means that the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics should be replaced by the ESSC for comitology procedures. This proposal updates Regulation 1166/2008 as follows: (i) establishes the financial framework 2014-18; (ii) sets out the EU’s maximum financial contribution to Croatia’s costs of carrying out the FSS; and (iii) changes the committee that assists the Commission. The Farm Structure Surveys have been carried out in a harmonised way across the European Union, based on legal acts, since 1966. The present Regulation 1166/2008 is one in a series of legal acts on the subject, and the proposal to amend this Regulation is therefore fully consistent with European Statistical Programme and Union policies. 
Revised version (Article 16 Derogations):
1. By way of derogation from Articles 6(1) and (2), 8, 9(1), 11(8) and (9), 13(3), Annex III and Annex IV, the references to the year 2010 shall be replaced by references to the year 2009 for Greece, Spain and Portugal. 2. By way of derogation from Article 9(1), the reference to 31 March 2012 shall be replaced by: (a) 31 March 2011 for Greece and Portugal; (b) 30 June 2011 for Spain; (c) 30 June 2012 for Italy and Romania. 3. By way of derogation from Article 11(9), the reference to 31 December 2012 shall be replaced by 31 December 2011 for Greece, Spain and Portugal.
Article 17 
Repeal 1. Regulation (EEC) No 571/88 shall be repealed. 2. References to the repealed Regulation shall be construed as references to this Regulation.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL This initiative aims to secure financing for the 2016 Farm Structure Survey and related projects. Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods requires Farm Structure Surveys (FSS) to be carried out in the form of an agricultural census in 2010 and as sample surveys in 2013 and 2016. It also requires a survey on agricultural production methods to be carried out in 2010 or 2011. The Member States and the Commission need considerable funding to carry out these surveys. According to the Regulation, the EU can cover a maximum of 75 % of a Member State’s costs of carrying them out. The maximum amounts that the reimbursements are capped at are defined per country. Since the surveys are spread out over two multi-annual financial framework periods, it was not possible to fix their entire financing at the same time. Under Article 14 of Regulation 1166/2008, the budgetary and legislative authority must fix the financial framework for FSS 2016 on a proposal from the Commission and based on the new financial framework for the period starting in 2014. Moreover, the accession of Croatia to the European Union must be taken into account. This means that the Regulation needs to be amended also to include the maximum contribution to Croatia. The European Statistical System (ESS) strategy states that, the European Statistical System Committee (ESSC) should have an advisory role and assist the Commission in exercising its implementing powers. This means that the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics should be replaced by the ESSC for comitology procedures. This proposal updates Regulation 1166/2008 as follows: (i) establishes the financial framework 2014-18; (ii) sets out the EU’s maximum financial contribution to Croatia’s costs of carrying out the FSS; and (iii) changes the committee that assists the Commission. The Farm Structure Surveys have been carried out in a harmonised way across the European Union, based on legal acts, since 1966. The present Regulation 1166/2008 is one in a series of legal acts on the subject, and the proposal to amend this Regulation is therefore fully consistent with European Statistical Programme and Union policies. 
Revised version (Article 17 Repeal):
1. Regulation (EEC) No 571/88 shall be repealed. 2. References to the repealed Regulation shall be construed as references to this Regulation.
Article 18 
Entry into force This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union . It shall apply from 1 January 2009. This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Amendment rationale: CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL This initiative aims to secure financing for the 2016 Farm Structure Survey and related projects. Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods requires Farm Structure Surveys (FSS) to be carried out in the form of an agricultural census in 2010 and as sample surveys in 2013 and 2016. It also requires a survey on agricultural production methods to be carried out in 2010 or 2011. The Member States and the Commission need considerable funding to carry out these surveys. According to the Regulation, the EU can cover a maximum of 75 % of a Member State’s costs of carrying them out. The maximum amounts that the reimbursements are capped at are defined per country. Since the surveys are spread out over two multi-annual financial framework periods, it was not possible to fix their entire financing at the same time. Under Article 14 of Regulation 1166/2008, the budgetary and legislative authority must fix the financial framework for FSS 2016 on a proposal from the Commission and based on the new financial framework for the period starting in 2014. Moreover, the accession of Croatia to the European Union must be taken into account. This means that the Regulation needs to be amended also to include the maximum contribution to Croatia. The European Statistical System (ESS) strategy states that, the European Statistical System Committee (ESSC) should have an advisory role and assist the Commission in exercising its implementing powers. This means that the Standing Committee for Agricultural Statistics should be replaced by the ESSC for comitology procedures. This proposal updates Regulation 1166/2008 as follows: (i) establishes the financial framework 2014-18; (ii) sets out the EU’s maximum financial contribution to Croatia’s costs of carrying out the FSS; and (iii) changes the committee that assists the Commission. The Farm Structure Surveys have been carried out in a harmonised way across the European Union, based on legal acts, since 1966. The present Regulation 1166/2008 is one in a series of legal acts on the subject, and the proposal to amend this Regulation is therefore fully consistent with European Statistical Programme and Union policies. 
Revised version (Article 18 Entry into force):
This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union . It shall apply from 1 January 2009. This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.