Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
France uses a model to estimate the production of eggs for consumption. This model is based on data from a monthly survey of breeders conducted by the SSP under the EC Regulation 617/2008. The balance of foreign trade of one-day-old chicks is applied to spawning chicks hatched in French hatcheries, in order to estimate the setting up of pullets in French farms, up to two years back. Knowing that a hen starts to lay at 5 months-old, and that she lays for 12 to 13 months (according to the way she is raised : in cages or not), the number of laying hens in production is estimated each month.Using this number and the average number of eggs laid per hen, the production of eggs for consumption is calculated each month.
Hatching data are collected monthly from nest egg hatchers. The foreign trade data for day-old chicks comes from French Customs (DGDDI).
3.1.1. The main data source of the information
Eggs producers
3.2. Classification system
For laying chicks, the classification system used is CN8: 01051191
3.3. Coverage - sector
- NACE code 01.47.1: live poultry holdings (raised for meat, eggs and liver) - NACE code 01.47.21: live poultry farming (shell eggs, fresh)
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
The model uses data that are consistent with the European definitions : they come from monthly surveys of hatcheries that respond to EC Regulation 617/2008, and are therefore in line with the EU methodology.
3.4.1. Definition of eggs for consumption under EU methodology
Yes
3.4.2. If not, specify the definition used.
Not applicable.
3.4.3. Definition of egg producer under EU methodology
Yes
3.4.4. If not, specify the definition used
Yes. Egg production comes from a model, which estimates egg production by farms. The definition of an agricultural holding is in line with the EU methodology, although the data collection is not carried out at the farm level but from hatcheries. Besides, aperiodic farm structure surveys (FSS) and French surveys on poultry farming practices carried out on farms each 7-8 years, are used to recalibrate the model : theses surveys provide updates concerning the number of holdings producing more than 5000 hens layers, and the number of eggs produced per hen and per month.
3.4.5. Definition of laying hens under EU methodology
Yes
3.4.6. If not, please describe the differences
Not applicable.
3.4.7. Definition of ungraded eggs under EU methodology
Not relevant
3.4.8. If not, specify the definition used
Not applicable.
3.4.9. Ungraded Eggs provided separately
Not relevant
3.4.10. Additional comments on statistical concepts and definitions
No comment.
3.5. Statistical unit
In France, the statistical unit belongs to the third type: the model uses data from a survey conducted with 8 specialized hatcheries with a minimum capacity of 1,000 hatching eggs. The model does not use an annual survey of farms producing eggs for consumption, but is recalibrated by FSS and surveys of farming practices that provide an estimate of the number of farms producing eggs for consumption, and their production.
3.6. Statistical population
Panel of 8 brooding Gallus hatcheries
3.6.1. Physical, economical or other threshold(s) applied to the data collection
The threshold of the ESS Agreement is respected, since the model estimates the number of eggs produced by farms holding more than 5000 laying hens. The hatchery survey, used as an input to the model, covers hatcheries with a capacity of over 1,000 hatching eggs.
3.6.1.1. COVERAGE
In the egg-laying industry, hatcheries with more than 1000 eggs provide over 99% of layer farms. We therefore consider that the model covers the completeness of the production of eggs for consumption.
3.7. Reference area
Survey field: Until 2018 (included), the reference area is Metropolitan France. Since 2019, the reference area includes also overseas departements, but the sample is the same, since there are no egg hatcheries with 1000 eggs or more in theses departments.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Data are available from 2008 until 2018
3.8.1. The first survey/data collection
Production data come from the forecast model, available since 2008.
3.9. Base period
Year 2008 was used as a base period for collecting complete data (through the survey on poultry farming practices). Since then, the model estimate the annual production of egg for consumption, each year.
3.10. Other comments
Egg production of egg-laying hens is called "professional" or "intensive" production.
4.1. Unit of measure in million
Yes
4.2. Other unit of measures used
Not applicable
5.1. Reference period in calendar year based
Yes
5.2. Reference date for number of laying hens
The model uses the average number of laying hens in the calendar year, and not their number on 31 December.
5.3. Additional comments on the reference period/date used
The number of laying hens in 2018 is determined by the cumulative number of productive generations born between August 2016 and July 2018. Chicks become laying-aged pullets at approximately 5 months of age. Example: in January 2018, we take the set up of chicks from August 2017 (become chickens in first month of laying), but also all generations in production born earlier, the oldest being in the last month of laying (placing in place in August 2016). Thus, the laying hens of January 2018 are the sum of generations of hens born between August 2016 and August 2017.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
- 2017 ESS Agreement on Statistics of Eggs for consumption - EC Regulation n ° 617/2008 on which the monthly statistical surveys carried out by SSP among birth attendants and breeders
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not applicable (for the 2018 metadata collection)
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Not applicable (for the 2018 metadata collection)
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Not applicable (for the 2018 metadata collection)
8.1. Release calendar
Not applicable (for the 2018 metadata collection)
8.2. Release calendar access
Not applicable (for the 2018 metadata collection)
8.3. Release policy - user access
Not applicable (for the 2018 metadata collection)
Not applicable (for the 2018 metadata collection)
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Not applicable (for the 2018 metadata collection)
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
8-page publications : each month, short-term indicators are published in collection “Informations Rapides”, on Agreste website : last quarter production of eggs for consumption (table) and production forecasts up to 2 months later (graph) - Synthesis on consumption eggs, published for the last time in 2015 (annexed hyperlink)
Data are mainly used by France-AgriMer and professional organisations: the French technical Institute of poultry (ITAVI) and the CNPO (National Committee for Promotion of Eggs)
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not applicable (for the 2018 metadata collection)
12.3. Completeness
All statistics on egg production and the total number of laying hens, with a focus on holdings of + 5000 laying hens, are collected and transmitted each year according to the quality requirements of the ESS agreement
13.1. Accuracy - overall
The main sources of errors or uncertainties are :
- occasional errors in declarant data from French customs authorities on imports and exports of chicks, according to their use (confusion between hatching chicks and chicks, between commercial and factory chicks). These errors are subject to corrections.
- cages / note cages spawning curves, spawning duration and mortality in rearing (technical data at the input of the model) to be updated : technical ratios used in the model are updated by information given by professional organizations when new data become available.
Confrontations of the model results with the results of FSS or frenchfarming practices surveys (2008, 2015) are performed occasionally to verify the quality of the estimates by the model.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable (for the 2018 metadata collection)
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable (for the 2018 metadata collection)
14.1. Timeliness
Not applicable (for the 2018 metadata collection)
14.2. Punctuality
Not applicable (for the 2018 metadata collection)
15.1. Comparability - geographical
National and homogeneous collection of data (no regional data)
15.2. Comparability - over time
The model is regularly recalibrated by the results of FSS surveys and farming practices surveys.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
No break in the series (identical methodology), but the updating of the technical ratios used by the model is carried out punctually when the data are collected and validated by the ITAVI.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Not applicable (for the 2018 metadata collection)
Not applicable (for the 2018 metadata collection)
17.1. Data revision - policy
Not applicable (for the 2018 metadata collection)
17.2. Data revision - practice
Not applicable (for the 2018 metadata collection)
18.1. Source data
Data form different sources are used :
Hatchery data come from statistical surveys.
Foreign trade data are administrative data from french custom authorities. Technical data are updated with informations collected by ITAVI professional surveys of production organizations and independent breeders.
Coefficients used to estimate the number of holdings of more than 5000 layers is updated by Structural Surveys (FSS)
18.1.1. Description of data collection process
- Survey of hatcheries: 8 egg hatcheries with capacity> 1000 eggs in incubation (representativeness of hatcheries greater than 99%) - Customs data: declaration of consignors of laying chicks These are monthly data for both sources.
18.1.2. Model used as a breakdown based on individual information
Not relevant
18.1.3. Method used for the model
See the answer 3.1
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Estimated monthly production: Data outbreaks: M Customs Data: M Technical data: A
Data are monthly estimated : each month, the model estimates the number of eggs that will be produced 3 months later, using customs data from two months before, and data from the french survey on hatcheries. Annual production is get by calculating the sum of monthly productions.
18.3. Data collection
Not applicable (for the 2018 metadata collection)
18.4. Data validation
Not applicable (for the 2018 metadata collection)
18.5. Data compilation
18.5.1. Data compilation process - data weighting
Data compilation : We use a model for estimating egg production : Concerning hatching eggs: non-response treatment is applied, knowing that non-response is occasional, all hatcheries are usually respondents. Concerning customs data, requests for expertise are occasionally submitted to the french custom authorities (if necessary) Technical data are imputedby references provided by ITAVI.
Data weighting : The number of laying hens is not calculated from breeders' data but from hatcheries' data. Moreover, the FSS results provide updates of the estimation of the number of hens in farms> 5000 hens.
18.5.2. Data compilation process
Not relevant
18.6. Adjustment
No comparison is made with data from packing centers (data not known). No adjustment of the data with other methods is conducted.
No comment
France uses a model to estimate the production of eggs for consumption. This model is based on data from a monthly survey of breeders conducted by the SSP under the EC Regulation 617/2008. The balance of foreign trade of one-day-old chicks is applied to spawning chicks hatched in French hatcheries, in order to estimate the setting up of pullets in French farms, up to two years back. Knowing that a hen starts to lay at 5 months-old, and that she lays for 12 to 13 months (according to the way she is raised : in cages or not), the number of laying hens in production is estimated each month.Using this number and the average number of eggs laid per hen, the production of eggs for consumption is calculated each month.
Hatching data are collected monthly from nest egg hatchers. The foreign trade data for day-old chicks comes from French Customs (DGDDI).
18 November 2019
The model uses data that are consistent with the European definitions : they come from monthly surveys of hatcheries that respond to EC Regulation 617/2008, and are therefore in line with the EU methodology.
In France, the statistical unit belongs to the third type: the model uses data from a survey conducted with 8 specialized hatcheries with a minimum capacity of 1,000 hatching eggs. The model does not use an annual survey of farms producing eggs for consumption, but is recalibrated by FSS and surveys of farming practices that provide an estimate of the number of farms producing eggs for consumption, and their production.
Panel of 8 brooding Gallus hatcheries
Survey field: Until 2018 (included), the reference area is Metropolitan France. Since 2019, the reference area includes also overseas departements, but the sample is the same, since there are no egg hatcheries with 1000 eggs or more in theses departments.
The main sources of errors or uncertainties are :
- occasional errors in declarant data from French customs authorities on imports and exports of chicks, according to their use (confusion between hatching chicks and chicks, between commercial and factory chicks). These errors are subject to corrections.
- cages / note cages spawning curves, spawning duration and mortality in rearing (technical data at the input of the model) to be updated : technical ratios used in the model are updated by information given by professional organizations when new data become available.
Confrontations of the model results with the results of FSS or frenchfarming practices surveys (2008, 2015) are performed occasionally to verify the quality of the estimates by the model.
Data form different sources are used :
Hatchery data come from statistical surveys.
Foreign trade data are administrative data from french custom authorities. Technical data are updated with informations collected by ITAVI professional surveys of production organizations and independent breeders.
Coefficients used to estimate the number of holdings of more than 5000 layers is updated by Structural Surveys (FSS)
Not applicable (for the 2018 metadata collection)
Not applicable (for the 2018 metadata collection)
National and homogeneous collection of data (no regional data)
The model is regularly recalibrated by the results of FSS surveys and farming practices surveys.
