From farm structure survey to integrated farm statistics

Agricultural census and the related surveys on the structure of agricultural holdings form the backbone of the current EASS, providing reliable data on the structure of agricultural holdings in the EU, in order to assess the situation of agriculture across the EU and to monitor trends.

The farm structure data collection is the only statistical source covering the widest range of farms, acting as a pivot reference for all agricultural statistics. Since 1966, it has been used as a benchmark and basis (especially a sampling basis) for the other agricultural statistics, and the produced statistics are highly appreciated by policy makers. For example, Farm accountancy data network (FADN) selection plans are based on the farm structure survey results. It is a key source for the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the CAP and other EU policies.

The countries collect information from individual agricultural holdings and, observing strict rules of confidentiality, data is forwarded to Eurostat. The information collected covers land use, livestock numbers, rural development, management and farm labour input (including the age, gender and relationship to the holder of the agricultural holding). The survey data can then be aggregated by different geographic levels (countries, regions). The data can also be arranged by size class, area status, legal status of the holding, objective zone and farm type.

The 2000 census covered the EU-15 Member States, Latvia, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia and Norway, while the 2010 census covered the EU-27 2007 Member States and Croatia, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Montenegro and Serbia. In 2010 a special survey, the Survey on agricultural production methods (SAPM) was carried out. SAPM was carried out together with the FSS 2010 census in some countries, whereas in other countries the survey was carried out as a sample survey and data were linked to data of the census at the level of the individual holding to enable cross comparisons of variables collected in SAPM and variables collected in the census.

The in between sample surveys of 2003, 2005 and 2007 covered the EU-27 2007 Member States. In 2013 and 2016, the survey covered the EU-28 Member States. Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia also send farm structure data to Eurostat. The data available by year and country since 1999/2000 can be seen in Figure 1.

Figure 1 – Farm structure data available by country and year since 1999/2000

 The Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 implementing Regulation (EC) No 1200/2009 on farm structure surveys ceased to provide statistical information as of 2018.