No L 218/10 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 8. 76 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COUNCIL COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 20 July 1976 concerning the statistical surveys to be carried out by the Member States in order to determine the production potential of plantations of certain species of fruit trees (76/625/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 Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parlia- ment ('), Whereas the Commission, in order to perform the task conferred upon it by the Treaty and by Commu- nity provisions governing the common organization of the market in fruit and vegetables, needs to be kept well informed on the production potential of planta- tions of certain species of fruit trees within the Community and to have available medium-term esti- mates of production and supply on the markets; Whereas surveys of fruit tree plantations are currently carried out only by some Member States; whereas these surveys do not permit the precise, uniform and synchronized observation of the production and supply of fruit on the markets; whereas a medium- term estimate of -production and supply on the markets is at present made only by some Member States ; Whereas it is therefore advisable to carry out surveys concurrently in all Member States on plantations of fruit trees of the same species in accordance with the same criteria and with comparable accuracy ; whereas (") OJ No C 159, 12. 7. 1976, p. 40. new plantations attain their full yield only after a certain number of years ; whereas these surveys should therefore be repeated every five years ; whereas in this way reliable statistics may be obtained on production potential taking account of the fruit trees which are not yet productive ; Whereas, in theory, surveys should be limited to undertakings in which a minimum area of 1 500 square metres is planted with apple, pear, peach or orange trees, with a view to fruit production for sale; whereas orchards of less than 1 500 square metres in area may be disregarded because of their negligible influence on market supply ; Whereas uniform surveys should be carried out in each Member State on the main varieties of each species of fruit, endeavouring at the same time to esta- blish subdivisions according to variety which are as complete as necessary ; Whereas, since the annual calculations of production potential must be based on the results of these surveys, indications as to the age of trees and the density of plantation should also be obtained ; whereas these results must be notified to the Commission as rapidly as possible ; Whereas the preparation of medium-term estimates requires that each year Member States should estimate and notify the Commission of the area of fruit trees which has been cleared; whereas the Commission should also be sent details every year of new planta- tions of fruit trees of the abovementioned species;