Farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods

PURPOSE: to establish a framework for the production of comparable Community statistics on the structure of agricultural holdings and for a survey on agricultural production methods.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 571/88.

CONTENT: having reached agreement with the European Parliament at first reading, the 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. This Regulation repeals Council Regulation (EEC) No 571/88 on the organisation of Community surveys on the structure of agricultural holdings until 2007. The surveys referred to in the 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.

In practice, the Regulation provides the legal framework for the next farm structure census in 2010 and for the interim surveys in 2013 and 2016. In addition, it includes a survey on agricultural production methods with reference year 2010. A derogation is provided for in order to enable Member States to implement the farm structure survey in 2009. Member States shall transmit to the Commission validated survey data for the farm structure survey for 2010 by 31 March 2012. 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.

Member States shall receive a maximum financial contribution of 75% from the Community towards the cost of carrying out the surveys. For the farm structure surveys in 2013 and 2016, the maximum amounts specified in the Regulation shall be reduced by 50%. 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.

The financial envelope for the implementation of this programme of surveys shall be EUR 58 850 000 for the period 2008‑2013. The amount for the period 2014‑2018 shall be fixed by the budgetary and legislative authority on a proposal from the Commission on the basis of the new financial framework for the period commencing in 2014.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 21/12/2008.

APPLICATION: from 01/01/2009.