The collected information shall refer to a single reference year that is common to all Member States by referring to the situation during a specified timeframe or date.

Farm land

For land variables the use of the land shall refer to the reference year. In the case of successive crops from the same piece of land, the land use shall refer to a crop that is harvested during the reference year, regardless of when the crop in question is sown.

Main crop

The main crop is the one with the highest economic value. When it is not possible to determine what the main crop is on the basis of the production value, then the main crop will be the one which occupies the ground for the longest period of time amongst all the crops harvested during the reference year. To ensure that data provided to IFS is in line with data provided to Annual Crop Statistics (Main Area - Table 4), it is important that a crop is considered only if it is harvested in the reference year. Please note that the planting of the crop can take place before the reference year. For the purposes of IFS, young permanent crops (such as hops, fruit or berry plantations) which are not yet in production can be included from the year they are planted onwards.

Main area

The area to be collected for each item is known as the main area and refers to the physical area of the parcel(s), regardless of whether there was only one single crop or several crops during the crop year. In the case of annual crops, the main area corresponds to the sown area; in case of permanent crops the main area is the total planted area; in the case of successive crops, the main area corresponds to the area occupied by the main crop in the parcel during the year; in the case of simultaneous crops, it corresponds to the area where the crops co–exist. In this manner, each area is listed only once. 

Labour force

For variables on labour force, a 12-month reference period ending on a reference day within the reference year shall be established by each Member State.

Rural development

For variables on rural development measures implemented in the individual agricultural holdings, the reference period shall be the three-year period ending on 31 December of the reference year.

Irrigation and soil management practices

For variables on irrigation and soil management practices, the reference period is a 12-month period ending within the reference year, to be established by each Member State with a view to covering the related production cycles.

Machinery and equipment

For variables on machinery and equipment a common reference day within the reference year shall be established by each Member State

Livestock

For variables on livestock, a common reference day within the reference year shall be established by each Member State.

Orchards

For land variables, the use of the land shall refer to the reference year. In the case of successive crops from the same piece of land, the land use shall refer to a crop that is harvested during the reference year, regardless of when the crop in question is sown.

Other variables

For all other variables, a common reference day within the reference year shall be established by each Member State.