PURPOSE : to present a proposal for a Directive to update statistical surveys of milk and milk products.
CONTENT : the contents of the proposal are based on the recommendations of a Commission report analysing the application of Directive 96/16/EC on statistical surveys of milk and milk products. The present proposal recognises the need to respond to the present needs of the Common Agricultural policy. The proposal takes account of the increasing importance of milk protein; since the changes in milk and milk products call for reliable and comparable information on the protein content of the main milk products. Equally, the importance of regional data relating to milk production is taken into account. Most Member States organise their milk quotas on a regional level - even if the decision-making and management remains the prerogative of the Member State. Another important addition to the proposed revision is the definition of the survey units. The milk industry is undergoing rapid change towards the concentration of milk enterprises. Comparable milk statistics can only be produced on the basis of comparable survey units. This should allow for a better understanding of the current state of enterprises involved in milk production. Lastly, the Commission seeks to improve the methodology used to compile milk statistics by using standard annual questionnaires compiled by the Member States on the basis of a model drawn up by the Commission.�