No L 195/48 Official Journal of the European Communities 18. 7. 81 COUNCIL DECISION of 6 July 1981 on the restructuring of the system for agricultural surveys in Italy (81/518/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 43 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commis- sion (1), Having regard to the opinion of the European Par- liament (2), Whereas it is necessary, for effective and balanced implementation of the common agricultural policy in Italy, especially in the Mezzogiorno regions, to have statistical information of satisfactory scope and reli- ability on agricultural holdings in Italy and on the production, processing and marketing of agricultural products ; Whereas in Italy the system of statistical surveys carried out in agriculture at present on territorial units, and partially on economic units, has hitherto satisfied Community requirements in respect of a number of censuses in a somewhat ad hoc manner as regards both execution and financing ; whereas, there- fore, a restructuring of the information collecting system is highly desirable with a view to providing a more solid basis for the statistical information to be provided ; whereas the system could at the same time be brought into line with those in other Member States, thus improving comparability within the Community ; Whereas, because of economic and budgetary constraints, the Italian Government does not have sufficient means to make the considerable effort involved in establishing a statistical system compar- able to those which already exist in the other Member States ; Whereas the implementation of an effective system for recording agricultural statistics in Italy will be in the interest of the Community and will contribute to the attainment of the objectives defined in Article 39 (1) (a) of the Treaty, including the structural changes necessary for the proper functioning of the common market ; Whereas a Community contribution to the financing of the measures to be taken is envisaged without, (1) OJ No C 212, 20. 8. 1980, p. S. () OJ No C 327, 15. 12. 1980, p. 101. however, making expenditure relating to administra- tive costs and personnel, within the meaning of Article 1 (4) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 729/70 (3), as last amended by Council Regulation (EEC) No 3509/80 (%), eligible under the Community budget ; Whereas the terms should be defined on which the Community will help to finance the planning and operation of a statistical programme in the Member State concerned ; whereas while the Italian Govern- ment should retain responsibility for such planning, account being taken of existing administrative struc- tures, certain conditions should be laid down to guarantee optimum utilization of the Community’s financial contribution ; Whereas the Community must be able to ensure that the measures taken by the Italian Government will help to attain the objectives of the joint action and will fulfi} the conditions under which the Community financing is granted ; Whereas a procedure should be laid down whereby the Member States and the Commission will coop- erate closely in the Standing Committee for Agricul- tural Statistics, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION : Article 1 In order to organize in Italy a system of statistical surveys on agricultural matters which will fully satisfy Community requirements for statistical information in this field, the Italian Government shall ensure : (a) the gradual introduction of a coherent programme of statistical surveys, conducted on the basis of samples at agricultural holdings level, by inter- viewers chosen and specially trained for that purpose ; (b) the strengthening or creation of a regional tech- nical and administrative infrastructure which ensures that the required surveys are carried out and that the data are forwarded to the Istituto Centrale di Statistica (ISTAT). () OJ No L 94, 28. 4. 1970, p. 13. () OJ No L 367, 31. 12. 1980, p. 87.