L 35/18 Official Journal of the European Union 8.2.2007 II (Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is not obligatory) DECISIONS COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 2 February 2007 approving the 2007 technical action plan for the improvement of agricultural statistics (notified under document number C(2006) 7081) (2007/84[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 (), and in particular Article 4(1) and Article 6(2) thereof, Whereas: (1) In accordance with Decision 96/411/EC, the Commission establishes a technical action plan for agricultural statistics each year. (2)  In accordance with Decision 96/411/EC, the Community contributes to the costs incurred by the Member States in making adaptations to national agricultural statistical systems or the costs of preparatory work for new or increasing needs which are part of a technical action plan. (3) It is essential to improve and develop statistical infor- mation on rural development for the implementation of the related Community policies. This is a main area of the annual action plan. (") O] L 162, 1.7.1996, p. 14. Decision as last amended by Decision 787/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (O] L 138, 30.4.2004, p. 12). (4)  The measures provided for in this Decision are in line with the opinion of the Standing Committee of Agri- cultural Statistics, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 The 2007 technical action plan for improving agricultural statistics (TAPAS 2007), as set out in the Annex, is approved under the condition that the budget appropriations will be available and that the budget 2007 will be adopted without modification. Atrticle 2 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 2 February 2007. For the Commission Joaquin ALMUNIA Member of the Commission