Present:
Bernard Hyde - (EPA) Chair
Jane Brogan - (EPA)
Paul J. Crowley - (CSO)
Susan O’Connor - (CSO)
Hilda McCarthy - (CSO)
Fiona O’Callaghan - (CSO)
Lorcan O’Broin - (CSO)
Ciaran Counihan - (CSO)
James Quirke - (DAFM)
Denis Harrington - (DAFM)
Graham Neilan - (DAFM)
Brian Moran - (Teagasc)
Kevin Hanrahan - (Teagasc)
Rowena Dwyer - (IFA)
Gerry Looby - (UCD)
Derry Dillon - (Macra na Feirme)
Bernard Hyde opened the meeting and welcomed the group.
Hilda McCarthy introduced those attending for the first time (Lorcan O’Broin, Ciaran Counihan, Paul J. Crowley, James Quirke, Denis Harrington). She also explained that Patricia Torpey would replace Tom Quinlivan in the group but Patricia was unable to attend this meeting.
The agenda and minutes were agreed without amendment.
Fiona O’Callaghan presented this item highlighting the extensive use made of administrative data in compiling Census results, particularly for Cattle and Cereals. A table of preliminary results was shown summarising the key results from COA 2010. The total number of farms published in the COA Preliminary results on Feb 14th 2012 was 139,829. Since then, CSO have been working towards finalising all results for transmission to Eurostat and that process is almost complete but with some work yet to do in calculating the labour input on farms. Following on from that CSO will use some data visualisation applications to display data from COA 2010 and COA 2000. This should be ready by early Autumn. Work will also commence on
analysing Survey of Agricultural Production methods (SAPM) in the coming weeks. Bernard Hyde (EPA) would welcome a future presentation on SAPM results when the data is ready.
Fiona explained that over 17,000 records were deemed active based on administrative records. As no Census questionnaire was returned for these farms, only cattle and cereals data were available and so all other missing variables were imputed. In the case of labour input, regression modelling was used to estimate the labour allocation on each farm and this should be borne in mind when interpreting results.
Revisions to aggregate totals from FSS05 & FSS07 will be carried out by CSO although there is no timeline on this yet because the priority is to complete work on COA 2010. CSO are considering the possibility of publishing labour data on its own in the coming months rather than waiting until the publication of the final COA results in Qtr 4 2012. Rowena Dwyer (IFA) welcomed this proposal. Brian Moran (Teagasc) inquired about the labour data previously published by QNHS section of CSO and whether this will be reviewed. Paul J. Crowley explained that the caution previously issued by QNHS re: agricultural employment still stands. QNHS sampling frame is updated based on main occupation provided in Census of Population (COP) results. Therefore, agricultural households may not be classified as such in COP if farming is not identified as the main occupation.
CSO are considering discontinuing the June series for Sheep as there is no obligation to provide this to Eurostat for June (other than in FSS years) and invited comments from the group on this. Kevin Hanrahan (Teagasc) stated that while June sheep data is useful, it could be done without. Bernard Hyde (EPA) explained EPA use slaughterings to estimate the lamb crop each year and so would have no problem with CSO’s proposal. The sheep-tagging system was considered by the group to be of little use in accurately capturing the June flock as younger lambs intended for slaughter are not tagged. The CSO will inform the Group of the final decision.
Paul J. Crowley (CSO) asked the group if they had any preferences on whether the final COA results would be published in a comprehensive paper volume or loaded to CSO Databank for download by user. Kevin Hanrahan expressed a wish to have a time series (to include previous FSS data) on the Databank if that is the option chosen. CSO noted this and explained only aggregate totals will be revised for FSS05 & FSS07. The CSO will decide on the precise format for publication by the end of the summer and will notify the Group.
Hilda McCarthy (CSO) explained that work will get underway in the coming months in preparing for FSS2013. This will again be carried out under Regulation No.1166/2008. An eight-page questionnaire, collecting largely the same variables as for COA 2010, will be issued in late May 2013 to 75-80,000 farms. There is no requirement to collect SAPM data in 2013.
The existing regulation does not allow for the introduction of new variables or smaller samples. Therefore, it is being reviewed with the intention of replacing the Farm Structure Survey with a Farm Survey System from 2016 onwards. This is currently being discussed by Task Forces at European level and by the Directors of Agricultural Statistics (CPSA). This Farm Survey System would consist of 3 types of variables -Core, Module and Satellite. The Core variables would be the traditional structural variables such as Area, Crops, livestock and labour. Module variables would be collected along with Core variables but from a smaller sample. Satellite surveys would collect data on a reduced frequency (and not necessarily at same time as core & module variables) and from a smaller sample on newly emerging data needs such as SAPM, Fertiliser, Water-Use and Competitiveness. The latter would include items such as use of advisory services, own consumption of produce, participation in rural development schemes, rural tourism, administrative burden and use of financial risk management tools.
In negotiations, Ireland are requesting that existing deadlines be retained for transmission of data as proposed shorter deadlines could prove very challenging. A reduction in variables has also been called for to reduce the overall level of response burden on farmers. The ‘Other Gainful Activity’ of the farm labour force is difficult to collect and the machinery and equipment section, in its current proposed format, will not provide any meaningful or useful data.
Jane Brogan (EPA) asked if the section on Machinery could be expanded at national level. CSO explained that the questionnaire is already quite full and that variables required by EU must be given priority. Bernard Hyde (EPA) explained that machinery data collected in Census 2000 is currently the only data of its kind available anywhere and would welcome the re-introduction of this data in future surveys. Paul J. Crowley invited EPA to submit a proposal to CSO on collection of machinery data for consideration. EPA agreed to this.
EPA and IFA agreed that data on renewable energy production could possibly be sourced from SEAI and a contact name was provided for this purpose. It was suggested that unit level rather than just aggregate data may also be available.
EPA also pointed out that Water-Use may be of increasing importance in terms of resource efficiency.
Bernard Hyde suggested it might be useful for the group, or a sub-group, to review the FSS2013 questionnaire to identify data that may already be available elsewhere. CSO welcomed this and will arrange a consultation process before the end of the year.
Graham Neilan distributed a table that described 23 active databases held by DAFM. He welcomed comments or questions on this. The group will check through this and revert with any questions. Hilda McCarthy (CSO) inquired about 2 databases, not listed, that might be of use. These were the NPITS (Pig producer database) and Poultry producer database. Hilda explained these could be useful to CSO in examining completeness of CSO data collection.
Ciaran Counihan pointed out that REPS payments are treated as environmental subsidies in Ireland's national accounts, but equivalent schemes in other EU countries don't seem to be - perhaps they are considered agricultural subsidies, as they are paid to farmers. Ireland's environmental subsidies account for a much greater proportion of total subsidies than in any other EU country. Ciaran asked if DAFM knew of any move to ensure a greater level of conformity in the way these subsidies are treated amongst member states.
Paul J. Crowley introduced himself as the new Head of the Agriculture, Tourism and Transport Division in CSO. Paul presented the EU Annual statistical Programme for 2012 and outlined the current progress with respect to the development of the 2013 EU Work Programme which covers all statistical domains. At present the Multi-Annual Community Statistical Programme for 2013-2017 is being discussed at Council in Brussels. He outlined the current EU Overall High level Priorities for Agricultural Statistics for 2013-2017. A supporting document, (chapter 4 of the European Statistical Work Programme) was circulated. Paul explained that Supply Balances have been identified as a ‘negative priority’ at EU level. This was agreed at EU level in an effort to reduce burden and free up resources to work on other priorities. Paul explained, however, that this would have a minimal effect on freeing up resources for CSO. Kevin Hanrahan expressed concern at the cessation of Supply Balances as this data forms a large part of his work. Hilda McCarthy explained that the cessation refers only to the compilation of the balance but that the calculation of each of the components within (eg, production, imports, exports) would still be produced and available although there may be some gaps with respect to domestic uses.
Paul highlighted the increasing emphasis on Agri-environmental data and circulated a summary of all 28 Agri-Environmental indicators (AEI). This is an area which is likely to develop further in the future and CSO would appreciate the expertise of relevant groups in working to meet these needs as they arise.
CSO intends to host the 4th Business Statistics Seminar on ‘Agriculture & Food’ on November 22nd 2012 in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin. These seminars would typically include 4-5 presentations, one of which would be presented by CSO and the others by external speakers. Paul invited expressions of interest from the group. Kevin Hanrahan (Teagasc) and Bernard Hyde (EPA) both indicated a willingness to participate at the seminar. The general practice was to illustrate the use of CSO data in analysis. The draft programme will be developed by the end of the Summer and will be circulated to the Group for information.
Jane Brogan requested a breakdown of Utilised Agricultural Area (UAA) into its constituent land-cover categories. CSO explained this will be available when the final COA results are published towards the end of the year. Jane explained this is not timely enough for EPA needs. Kevin Hanrahan suggested Jane may be able to make use of crop data already available from Single Farm Payment data.
Rowena Dwyer (IFA) asked CSO if the number of farms with dairy cows had been reviewed since the preliminary results were published in February 2012. Fiona O’Callaghan explained that the type is determined by the breed supplied in the AIM database but that a large number of farms held 9 or less dairy animals, some as little as one dairy animal. Kevin Hanrahan suggested that this could have arisen if the animals were culled cows. However, it could lead to issues in the valuation of Standard Output of a farm as Standard Output of a Dairy Cow is significantly greater than that of ‘Other Cows’.
Brian Moran (Teagasc) inquired if FSS micro-data might be made available. CSO indicated that anonymised micro-data from other areas of the office is regularly made available to researchers and will investigate if the same can be done for Agricultural data.
DAFM asked if the availability of SILC data could be resumed. Paul J. Crowley will investigate this.
Other issues raised by Teagasc included land prices and absolute agriculture prices. Kevin Hanrahan stressed the importance of having a series of absolute prices but these appear to have been discontinued since Dec 2010. On behalf of Andrew Murray (CSO Agriculture Prices) Hilda informed the group that absolute prices would be made available in the coming weeks commencing with Feed and Fertiliser, followed shortly after by Cattle and then Milk, Pigs & Sheep.
Hilda McCarthy explained the ASLG meetings are a forum for all attending to exchange ideas and information and should not be perceived as solely a platform for CSO. Hilda suggested that the Business Statistics Seminar proposed for November 2012 would serve as the group’s work for Autumn/Winter 2012 and that the group would meet again in April/May 2013. All suggestions for agenda items or presentation of papers would be welcome.
Teagasc offered to host the next meeting at their facility in Ashtown.