Statistics Lithuania

Agricultural, environmental and energy statistics division

29 Gedimino Ave., LT-01500 Vilnius, Lithuania

See sub-categories below

The main purpose of the statistical survey is to prepare and publish statistical information on the use of plant protection products in agriculture. During the survey, data on the quantity of plant protection products used on agricultural plants and the area treated are collected.

2018

The classification used for pesticides corresponds to Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1185/2009 (http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2009/1185/2017-03-09) of the European Parliament and of the Council.
The classification system for crops derives from the Annual crop statistics Handbook 2019 (https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/metadata/Annexes/apro_cp_esms_an1.pdf).

Non-financial agricultural companies, enterprises, farmers’ and family farms engaged in crop production. 

The selected crops are the main crops in Lithuania and covers 94% of the Utilised Agricultural Area.

See the attached Excel file in the Annexes.

Survey covered only agricultural use of pesticides

The data reported are the quantity of each active substances listed in Annex III of Regulation 1185/2009 contained in plant protection products used on a selected crop, expressed in kg. The area treated with each substance are expressed in hectares.

Agricultural company, enterprise, farmer's and family farm engaged in crop production activities.  

Agricultural companies and enterprises, farmers’ and family farms having with arable land, pastures, meadows and perennial plantations. Organic production holdings are not included in the survey.

See sub-categories below.

The entire territory of the country.

Not applicable

Since 2014

Not applicable for Pesticide Use Statistics, because it is not based on an index number of time series.

See the attached Excel file in the Annexes.

Once in 5 year reference period

See the attached Excel file in the Annexes.

The respondents filling in the questionnaire themselves as well as interviewers had to observe whether the data provided complied with the logical and arithmetical connections given in the questionnaires. There were  logical and arithmetic controls for the APR-02 questionnaire for agricultural companies and enterprises (both to the programs created using ORACLE software and ABBYY Form Filler), aswell as in APRŪ-02 questionnaire for farmers' and family farms. There were mandatory and ignored errors. Mandatory errors had necessarily to be corrected. Ignored errors were designed to draw attention to the fact that there may be an error. 

After filling in the questionnaire, respondents or interviewers could see an error protocol (if there were any errors). This protocol appeared after checking the questionnaire due to logical and arithmetical controls. Then the respondents or interviewers had to correct all the errors before sending the questionnaire. If they tried to transmit a questionnaire with errors, incorrect questionnaires were returned to them for correction. Incorrect questionnaires had not been loaded to the database.

• Agricultural companies and enterprises filled in the electronic questionnaire and sent it directly to Statistics Lithuania using the electronic statistical reporting portal (e-Statistics) for further processing. If any uncertainties were obtained, specialists in the regional data preparation divisions checked if all the data were filled in, and mistakes were corrected and unclear items were cleared out by question to the company or enterprise by phone.
• Interviewers (as well as farmers), who used ORBEON software for entering data, gave the feedback on the errors in each questionnaire and had to correct them.
• When statistical data received by Statistics Lithuania were uploaded into the program for data processing, they were checked once again – whether they comply with the conditions of control. If non-conformity is found, its origin is determined and it is eliminated.

Comparisons of the survey data both at micro and macro level were made in order to ensure data quality by detecting outliers and discrepancies.

Data obtained directly from the holding were compared to the data taken from administrative sources. Micro data comparisons were made. If any outliers were obtained, the specialists  in the central statistical office contacted the holding in order to clarify those outliers. IACS Crop declaration database as administrative data source was used.

To prepare statistical information, data from the survey on the use of plant protection products in agriculture (statistical questionnaires APR-02,APRŪ-02) are used.

In case of agricultural companies and enterprises, an exhaustive survey is conducted. In 2018, data were submitted by 490 respondents.

In case of farmers’ and family farms, a simple random stratified sample is used. In 2018, 7000 farms (5,8 per cent of the total population) were sampled.

A Statistical Analysis System (SAS) software was used to aggregate the results at the national level.

Not applicable

See sub-categories below.

 The quality of statistical information and its production process is ensured by the provisions of the European Statistics Code of Practice and ESS Quality Assurance Framework. 

In 2007, a quality management system, conforming to the requirements of the international quality management system standard ISO 9001, was introduced at Statistics Lithuania. The main trends in activity of Statistics Lithuania aimed at quality management and continuous development in the institution are established in the Quality Policy. Monitoring of the quality indicators of statistical processes and their results and self-evaluation of statistical survey managers is regularly carried out in order to identify the areas which need improvement and to promptly eliminate the shortcomings.

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

Data quality is in line with the principles of accuracy and reliability, timeliness and punctuality, coherence and compatibility. Before the results are provided for users, additional statistical data control is exercised at the macro level. Outliers are identified and analysed. In case of significant deviations, the data provider is contacted, and the reasons are clarified. If inaccuracies are detected, statistical data are corrected.

The main users of statistical information are State and municipal authorities and agencies, international organisations, the media, research and business communities, students, whose needs are satisfied without a breach of the confidentiality principle.

All user needs are met

Not applicable

Not applicable

From 2005, user opinion surveys have been conducted on a regular basis. Official Statistics Portal traffic is monitored, website visitor opinion polls, general opinion poll on the products and services of Statistics Lithuania, target user group opinion polls and other surveys are conducted. In 2007, the compilation of a user satisfaction index was launched. The said surveys are aimed at the assessment of the overall demand for and necessity of statistical information in general and specific statistical indicators in particular.

More information on user surveys and their results is available in section User surveys on the Statistics Lithuania website.

2018

Not applicable

See sub-category below.

Not applicable for Pesticide Use Statistics because in this data collection, there is no target on the number of data. Member States are asked to collect data on representative crops without stipulating the number of crops.

The statistical survey was conducted using sampling method for farmers’ and family farms and an exhaustive survey for agricultural companies and enterprises. Statistical data are analysed by estimating outliers and edited.

Not applicable

Not applicable

See the attached Excel file in the Annexes.

See sub-categories below.

See the attached Excel file in the Annexes.

See the attached Excel file in the Annexes.

See the attached Excel file in the Annexes.

See the attached Excel file in the Annexes.

Not applicable

Seasonal adjustment is not applicable to pesticide use statistics since all plant protection treatments associated directly or indirectly with the crop during the reference period are reported.

The revision policy of Statistics Lithuania is provided in the document General Principles behind the Performance, Analysis and Announcement of Revisions of Statistical Indicators.

The results published are final and not revised later. Exception – upon the detection of significant errors, change in classification or methodology, new data sources.

Not applicable since no data revision was performed. 

Not applicable

No additional comments

See sub-categories below.

Statistical information is published in 11 months after the end of the reference period.

Statistical information is published in 11 months after the end of the reference period.

See sub-categories below.

No delays occured

Data are collected on a country level (NUTS 0). Therefore, the data are not comparable on a regional level. The geographical comparability between countries is evaluated by Eurostat

Not applicable, because there are no mirror flows in Pesticide Use Statistics.

Not applicable for Pesticide Use Statistics, because it is not based on time series.

Not applicable for Pesticide Use Statistics, because it is not based on time series.

Plant protection products use in agriculture survey data can be compared with plant protection products placed on the market annual survey data.

Not applicable for Pesticide Use Statistics, because the data collection is based on a five-year period.

Not applicable, because it has no relevance for national accounts.

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

Database of Indicators (Agriculture, forestry and fishing -> Agriculture -> Agro-environmental indicators->Plant protection products used in agriculture)

Not available

Database of Indicators (Agriculture, forestry and fishing -> Agriculture -> Agro-environmental indicators->Plant protection products used in agriculture)

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

National metadata and methodology available on Official statistics portal https://osp.stat.gov.lt/

https://osp.stat.gov.lt/documents/10180/5118910/Augal%C5%B3+apsaugos+produktai%2C+panaudoti+%C5%BEem%C4%97s+%C5%ABkyje+%5BEN%5D+5001.html

https://osp.stat.gov.lt/documents/10180/550594/Metodika-Augalu-apsaugos-produktu-zu.pdf (methodology, only in lithuanian)

The quality of statistical information and its production process is ensured by the provisions of the European Statistics Code of Practice. In 2007, a quality management system, conforming with the requirements of the international quality management system standard ISO 9001, was introduced at Statistics Lithuania.

No information 

No information

In 2018, the average time spent by respondents on the filling-in of the statistical questionnaire – 2 hour 56 minutes. 

The costs associated with collection, and production of pesticide use statistics are not available.

In the process of statistical data collection, processing and analysis and dissemination of statistical information, Statistics Lithuania fully guarantees the confidentiality of the data submitted by respondents (households, enterprises, institutions, organisations and other statistical units), as defined in the Confidentiality Policy Guidelines of Statistics Lithuania.

In the process of statistical data collection, processing and analysis and dissemination of statistical information, Statistics Lithuania fully guarantees the confidentiality of the data submitted by respondents (households, enterprises, institutions, organisations and other statistical units), as defined in the Confidentiality Policy Guidelines of Statistics Lithuania (https://www.stat.gov.lt/en/konfidencialumo-uztikrinimas)

Description of Statistical Disclosure Control Methods, approved by Order No DĮ-124 of 27 May 2008 of the Director General of Statistics Lithuania.

Integrated Statistical Information System Data Security Regulations and Rules for the Secure Management of Electronic Information in the Integrated Statistical Information System, approved by Order No DĮ-240 of 16 September 2020 of the Director General of Statistics Lithuania.

If there was any confidential information in aggregated data, confidentiality flags were added. Confidentiality rules:

• statistical information was prepared using data obtained from less than of three respondents;
• statistical data from one respondent represent more than 70 per cent of the total volume of statistical indicator;
• aggregated statistical data of two respondents represent more than 85 per cent of the volume of whole statistical indicator.