The measures covered by the 2005 technical action plan for improving agricultural statistics aim to develop or improve statistics in the following areas:
farm statistical registers,
surveys on small farms (small units surveys).
The Commission will make a financial contribution to projects developed as part of these measures which will not exceed the amounts shown in Table A for each Member State.
The measures proposed by the Member States concern:
The availability of an up to date register of agricultural holdings is a basis for a coherent and integrated system of agricultural statistics and also, if coordinated with national business registers, a tool contributing to the integration of agricultural information with that of other sectors.
A valid register provides a basic framework for sampling. If it is complete and includes appropriate information, it may permit effective sample design with, for example, stratification by size, type of activity and location. It could even call into question the cost-effectiveness of full agricultural censuses. Registers also provide useful information for the demography of agricultural holdings.
A harmonised register would also open the door to EU sampling and surveys providing reliable estimates at EU level and substantially reducing the burden on respondents.
‘Small units’ are important, in terms of numbers and share in agricultural production, especially in the new Member States. In some of these countries, small units are not always adequately covered in the agricultural surveys, and this might thus lead to the exclusion of a large number of units engaged in the production of agricultural goods.
In the framework of the TAPAS 2005 actions on small units, Eurostat expects contributions, inter alia, on the following questions:
What should be the definition of small units?
What should be the minimum threshold for the inclusion of such units in the Farm Statistical Registers?
To what extent should small units included in such registers be covered (in terms of frequency, characteristics)?
TECHNICAL ACTION PLAN 2005
EU-25
Maximum financial contribution of the Community to expenditure incurred
| (thousand EUR) | |||
| Countries | Farm register | Small units | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| CZ | 60 000 | 60 000 | |
| DE | 243 000 | 243 000 | |
| EE | 53 856 | 53 856 | |
| IT | 311 440 | 311 440 | |
| CY | 42 000 | 42 000 | |
| LV | 64 069 | 18 083 | 82 152 |
| LT | 9 000 | 9 000 | |
| HU | 29 700 | 29 700 | |
| AT | 446 639 | 446 639 | |
| PL | 45 000 | 45 000 | |
| PT | 175 844 | 175 844 | |
| SI | 113 400 | 113 400 | |
| SK | 54 000 | 45 000 | 99 000 |
| UK | 187 000 | 187 000 | |
| Total | 1 682 849 | 215 183 | 1 898 032 |