16.1.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities L11/49 COMMISSION DECISION of 21 December 1998 approving the 1999 technical action plan for improving agricultural statistics (notified under document number C(1998) 4343) (Text with EEA relevance) (1999/41/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Decision 96/411/EC of 25 June 1996 on improving Community agricultural statistics (), most recently amended by Commission Decision 98/ 514/EC of 29 July 1998 (3, and particularly Article 4(1) and Article 6(2), Whereas, pursuant to Council Decision 96/411/EC, the Commission establishes each year a technical action plan for agricultural statistics; Whereas there is a need to consolidate certain actions begun in previous action plans and to continue the effort undertaken by the Member States; Whereas it is essential to obtain detailed information on the use of pesticides in order to meet the requirements of Community legislation, particularly Council Regulation (EEC) No 2078/92()) and Council Directive 91/ 414/EEC (% Whereas, pursuant to Council Decision 96/411/EC, the Community contributes to the costs realised by the Member States in making adaptations to national systems () OJ L 162, 1. 7. 1996, p. 14. () OJ L 230, 18. 8. 1998, p. 28. () OJ L 215, 30. 7. 1992, p. 85. () OJ L 230, 19. 8. 1991, p. 1. or to such costs for preparatory work relating to new or increasing needs which are part of a technical action plan; Whereas the measures provided for in the present Decision are compatible with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Agricultural Statistics, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 The 1999 technical action plan for improving agricultural statistics, set out in the Annex, is approved. Article 2 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 21 December 1998. For the Commission Yves-Thibault DE SILGUY Member of the Commission