92002E2713

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2713/02

by Seán Ó Neachtain (UEN) to the Commission

(20 September 2002)

Subject: Collection of agricultural statistics

Would the Commission outline what measures it is taking to simplify the procedures for the collection of agricultural statistics so as to reduce the amount of paperwork and administration which farmers are obliged to carry out in order to comply with the requirements of the various schemes under the Common Agricultural Policy: what efforts are being made to avoid duplication of effort through using existing databases, making systems compatible and sharing information between administrations?

Answer given by Mr Solbes Mira on behalf of the Commission

(14 October 2002)

A distinction should be made between information collected for statistical purposes and that collected for administrative management of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Nevertheless, it is clear for the Commission that the use of administrative information for statistical purposes is not only possible but even desirable in order to avoid duplications and reduce the burden for the farmers. However, there are frequently limitations to what can be achieved due to practical and legal constraints. Work to overcome these limitations is a continuing preoccupation as is the study of successful experiences in some Member States and elsewhere.

As far as the statistical aspects are concerned, the Commission takes full account of the requirement imposed on it by Article 285 of the EC Treaty that the production of statistics shall not entail excessive burdens on economic operators. In particular, as far as the Farm Structure Surveys are concerned, it has taken steps to authorise Member States to use information from sources other than statistical surveys. The TAPAS(1) programme has supported Member States in initiatives to improve the efficiency of Community agricultural statistics while the LUCAS(2) project seeks to provide reliable statistics at Community level from a reduced and less intrusive sampling design.

The Commission reviews continually the information transmitted by the national authorities for the purposes of statistics and for administrative management of the CAP. One of the objectives of this review is to reduce the burdens for both the Member States and the economic operators from whom data are collected.

As part of the simplification programme this review is examining whether data transmitted continue to be necessary for management purposes and, if so, whether they may be available through other sources. It has already achieved positive results in a number of sectors where it has been possible to identify and eliminate duplication and collection of data which are no longer required. It should, however, be pointed out that in the majority of cases data transmitted are shown to be necessary for management purposes and that the instances of duplication are considerably fewer than is often suggested.

(1) Technical Action Plans for Agricultural Statistics.

(2) Land Use/Cover Area frame Sampling.