Introductory text

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Decision 96/411/EC of 25 June 1996 on improving Community agricultural statistics^f1, and in particular Article 4(1) and Article 6(2) thereof,

Whereas:

In accordance with Decision 96/411/EC, the Commission establishes a technical action plan for agricultural statistics each year.

In accordance with Decision 96/411/EC, the Community contributes to the costs incurred by the Member States in making adaptations to national agricultural statistical systems or the costs of preparatory work for new or increasing needs which are part of a technical action plan.

It is essential to improve information on the structure of agricultural holdings for the implementation of the related Community policies.

There is a need to consolidate the agricultural statistical system and to continue the work supported by the previous action plans. This time the farm statistical registers, which are a prerequisite for all farm surveys and a real difficulty in most of the Member States, are the main area of the annual action plan.

The measures provided for in this Decision are in line with the opinion of the Standing Committee of Agricultural Statistics,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: