After the Agricultural Census 2001, FSS were carried out every second year. In 2003, 2005 and 2007, Latvia organised FSS like other EU Member States. The FSS 2010 was carried out in the form of a census in compliance with the European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008. In accordance with this Regulation, common FSSs are carried out every third year – in 2013 and in 2016.

FSS 2016 was the last survey before the Agricultural Census to be carried out in 2020, which will be organised in accordance with the new IFS Framework Regulation.

• Statistics Law adopted by the Parliament of Latvia on 5 January 2016.
• Cabinet Regulation No 922 of 6 November 2006 “Regulations on Approval of State Statistical Reports and Questionnaires” with amendments of 1 December 2015, Annex 210.
• Regulations on State Statistical Information Programme for 2015, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on 6 December 2014.
• Regulations on State Statistical Information Programme for 2016, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on 22 December 2015.
• Regulations on Official Statistical Programme for 2017-2019, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on 28 December 2016.

Upon the request of the CSB, respondents are obliged, in due time and in full scope, to prepare and provide individual statistical data in accordance with the indicators specified in the official forms (including FSS 2016).

Submission of information for official statistical observations shall be considered a mandatory duty to be performed free of charge.

The interviewer obtains information in accordance with the form developed by the CSB and in line with the methodological instructions, entering the information obtained during the interview in a computer programme or by completing a paper-form questionnaire.

All the involved personnel must ensure compliance with Section 17 of the Statistics Law regarding personal data protection requirements, and it is prohibited to use the data collected in their own interest, as well as hand over or disclose it to other persons.

An agricultural holding is a single unit, both technically and economically, which has a single management, and which conducts agricultural activities, either as its primary or secondary activity.

Agricultural activity, according to NACE Rev. 2, includes activities listed in section A, division 01, groups:

• 01.1 - growing of non-perennial crops;
• 01.2 - growing of perennial crops;
• 01.3 - plant propagation;
• 01.4 - animal production, excluding subgroup 01.49, with the exception of the raising and breeding of ostriches, emus, rabbits and other fur animals, as well as bee-keeping and production of honey and beeswax;
• 01.5 - mixed farming;
• 01.6, class 01.61 – holdings exclusively maintaining agricultural land in good agricultural and environmental condition.

• number of holdings: 82682;
• agricultural area: 2140.4 thsd ha;
• utilised agricultural area: 1925.8 thsd ha;
• number of livestock:  469.8 thsd LSU.

FSS 2016 included:

• number of holdings: 71 006 (85.9 % from total number in SFR);
• agricultural area: 2068.4 thsd ha (96.6 % from total amount in SFR);
• utilised agricultural area: 1887.3 thsd ha (98.0 % from total amount in SFR);
• number of livestock: 461.3 thsd LSU (98.2 % from total amount in SFR

The records sent to Eurostat cover 69 933 agricultural holdings.

In Latvia, the main production location of holdings usually matches the administrative centres of holdings.

The reference period of the main groups of characteristics are:

• for use of utilised agriculture area – crop year 2016 or 12-month period from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016;
• for number of livestock – 1 July 2016;
• for labour force – 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016;
• for support for rural development – last 3 years (2014, 2015, 2016);
• agricultural machinery - 1 July 2016, collected for national purposes;
• for respondent identification indicators - 1 July 2016.

1.1. The first work related to the development of the FSS 2016 started in January 2015;

1.2. Consultations with key data users and experts of the agricultural industry were launched regarding the organisation of FSS 2016, as well as the information to be acquired in the survey and the necessary level of detail. The possibility of using information from administrative data sources for FSS 2016 was also analysed. Consultations on the list of FSS indicators and definitions were rounded up in May 2015;

1.3. The target population of the survey was defined in accordance with the survey objective. According to the set precision requirements, the necessary sample size was evaluated;

1.4. In order to promote the survey, informative material was prepared – a brochure providing information on the duration and methods of FSS 2016. The brochure was distributed among respondents in cooperation with MoA, RSS and LRATC. Moreover, rural consultants of LRATC placed information of the survey in the local newspapers.

2. Survey design

2.1. When starting the FSS 2016, the available resources were evaluated, and a detailed work and financial plan was developed. For the most important items of the plan, see Annex 3-1. Timetable FSS 2016 LV. Grant agreement for the action “Contribution of the European Union to farm structure survey 2016 pursuant to Council Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 of the European Parliament and the Council” was signed 1 December 2015;

2.2. The FSS list of indicators was developed in accordance with Annex III to the Regulation No. 1166/2008 and recommendations of national experts.

2.3. The frame of holdings included in the FSS 2016 was arranged on the basis of information of the Statistical Farm Register. The SFR was developed by the CSB in 1999 and is updated on a regular basis.

2.4. To obtain the data within the framework of FSS 2016, a questionnaire was developed and approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on 1 December 2015.

2.5. For data collection purposes, the unified data collection system ISDAVS CASIS of the CSB was used.

3. Data collection

3.1. Holdings were selected for the FSS 2016 based on their economic size, type of farming and region.

In the middle of 2016, SO calculations for the holdings in the SFR were made based on the information obtained from various statistical and administrative data sources: ADC Animal Register, RSS IACS information and also data on sown areas from the last Crop Survey.

3.2. On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, LRATC also took part in the FSS. 116 interviewers were engaged in the data collection process.

3.3. It was possible to fill in the FSS 2016 questionnaires on the Internet during the period from 22 August to 11 September. Holdings, the e-mail addresses of which were known, and which had used the RSS electronic area payment application system in 2016, had an opportunity to fill in the FSS 2016 questionnaire on the Internet. Altogether, web questionnaires were completed by 9.5 % of the total number of respondents.

In order to reduce the respondent burden and workload of statistical staff, CAPI interviews were carried out simultaneously with the annual Crop Survey. Face-to-face interviews were conducted by LRATC interviewers during the period from 26 September to 5 December 2016. Interviewers were trained beforehand. LRATC interviewers obtained information from about 24.1 thousand or 80.5 % of agricultural holdings.

Telephone interviews (CATI) were conducted along with the CAPI interviews during the period from 30 September to 20 December 2016. They took place in the CSB Telephone Interview Centre in Preiļi, where 9 interviewers obtained information on 10.0 % of holdings of the total number of respondents. This surveying method ensured the interviewing of smaller and inactive agricultural holdings, the telephone numbers of which were available. Training of telephone interviewers was conducted on 29 September 2016.

4. Data processing and validation

Interviewers performed both data collection and data entry, as well as primary control, because data entry applications contain around 200 logical and mathematical controls. Mathematical and logical controls were developed in compliance with the requirements of the “Data Supplier Manual”. In order to obtain more precise information and facilitate further data processing, they were supplemented with other necessary controls.

Once the survey was completed, repeated data control was carried out in the CSB central office, and data were re-verified at the level of holdings. If it was necessary, the employees responsible contacted the holders or managers to update the information. Afterwards, information was integrated from the administrative data sources. Also, these data were analysed at the level of holdings before including them in the database.

5. Data dissemination

Responsibilities of the CSB

Agricultural Statistics Section:

• development of the survey methodology and questionnaire form in compliance with the Regulation (EC) No 1166/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Commission Regulation (EU) 715/2014 and needs of the national data users;
• management of the data collection process;
• development of data input programme methodology and logical controls, programme testing;
• interviewer training;
• integration of administrative micro-data into the array data structure;
• control and analysis of FSS 2016 data;
• preparation of the FSS 2016 data set and the National Methodological Report anf the sending thereof to Eurostat;
• development of table layouts, preparation and publishing of press releases and dissemination of the survey results.

Mathematical Support Division:

• design of the FSS 2016 sample;
• determination of extrapolation factors and estimation of sampling errors.

Information Technologies Department:

• development of data input application for the face-to-face interviews (CAPI);
• development of data control application;
• arrangement of summary tables.
• development of data input application for the telephone interviews (CATI) and Internet application (CAWI),

CSB Telephone Interviews Centre:

• organisation and conduction of telephone interviews.

Information and Communication Department:

• responsible for the printing and dissemination of methodological materials of FSS 2016.

Technical Maintenance and Procurement Division

• technical support for the workplaces, communications;
• supply of methodological materials to the regional offices.

Survey staff of CSB

• Agricultural Statistics Section: 10 regular employees for data analysis, processing and publishing;
• Mathematical Support Division – 1 person;
• Information Technologies Department – 2 persons;
• CSB CATI Centre – 9 regular employees.

Survey staff of LRATC (institution responsible for obtaining survey data from 24.1 thsd agricultural holdings):

• 1 manager/coordinator;
• interviewers – 107 persons.

• ADC Animal register;
• ADC Organic Farming Statistics Information System;
• RSS IACS database.

The sampling frame is a list frame.

To update the SFR various data sources are used: information from regular statistical surveys and censuses, Statistical Business Register, State Land Cadastre, Population Register, ADC Animal Register and RSS IACS database.

Before FSS 2016, agricultural holding SO was recalculated using annual Crop and Animal Survey results, IACS database, ADC Animal Register. Such updating gave an opportunity to find new holdings and add them to the SFR.

Group I includes holdings that corresponded to the following characteristics:

• the holding is included in the Crop Survey 2016 and/or Animal Survey 2016;
• the holding carries out organic farming;
• area of UAA is not less than 100 ha;
• total SO >= 4 000 EUR.

In 2016, FSS was conducted simultaneously with the annual Crop Survey 2016 and Animal Survey 2016. Samples of annual surveys were formed based on the FSS 2016 frame, therefore not only criteria and precision requirements of FSS 2016 were used, but also several characteristics of annual surveys, and group I of the FSS sample was stratified in line with the requirements of the annual surveys. In this group stratification has been carried out:

• according to all of the afore mentioned characteristics – the holding is included in the Crop Survey 2016 and Animal Survey 2016, it carries out organic farming, as well as the area of UAA and the SO value correspond with the previously mentioned information;
• by location of holding - 6 regions (NUTS 3 level): 1 – Riga, 2 – Pieriga, 3 - Vidzeme, 4 - Kurzeme, 5 - Zemgale, 6 – Latgale;
• by type of farming – crop, animal, mixed;
• by SO groups:
• 0 EUR;
• 0 < SO < 70 EUR;
• 70 ≤ SO < 100 EUR;
• 100 ≤ SO < 1 000 EUR;
• 1 000 ≤ SO < 1 500 EUR;
• 1500 ≤ SO < 2 000 EUR;
• 2 000 ≤ SO < 4 000 EUR;
• 4 000 ≤ SO < 8 000 EUR;
• 8 000 ≤ SO < 15 000 EUR;
• 15 000 ≤ SO < 25 000 EUR;
• 25 000 ≤ SO < 50 000 EUR;
• 50 000 ≤ SO < 100 000 EUR;
• 100 000 ≤ SO < 250 000 EUR;
• 250 000 ≤ SO < 500 000 EUR;
• 500 000 ≤ SO < 750 000 EUR;
• 750 000 ≤ SO < 1 000 000 EUR;
• SO ≥ 1 000 000 EUR.
• if any of the crop production indicators below exceeds the boundary value:

• if any of the livestock indicators below exceeds the boundary value:

Group II includes holdings that corresponded to the following characteristics:

• if the holding does not correspond to the characteristics of Group I, and the holding is included in the frame of both the Crop Survey and Animal Survey and does not have previously described FSS stratification, then the FSS stratification is formed according to a special crop farming list, holding specialisation group, location of the holding, as well as crop farming SO group and livestock breeding SO group;
• if the holding does not correspond to the characteristics of Group I, and the holding is included in the frame of the Animal Survey but is not in the frame of the Crop is formed according to a characteristic of the special Animal Survey list, holding specialisation group, location of the holding, as well as crop farming SO group and livestock breeding SO group;
• in other cases, stratification is formed according to biological characteristics, location of the holding, holding specialisation group, crop farming SO and livestock breeding SO, as well as the characteristic of the frame of the Crop Survey and the characteristics of the frame of the Animal Survey.

• all strata with population size of 10 units/holdings or fewer;
• all strata included in Group I. See description in 3.2 The stratification variables;
• all strata where the sample size by Optimal Allocation of Sample was equal to the population size of strata.

• ADC Animal Register, including Bovine register – number of livestock on 1 July 2016;
• ADC Organic Farming Statistics Information System – UAA of the holding, on which organic farming production methods are applied in 2016;
• RSS IACS databases – support for rural development during the last 3 years (2014-2016).

The holder of the Animal Register and Organic Farming Statistics Information System is the Agricultural Data Centre, the largest and most important institution under supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Information of Animal Register was used as a data source in FSS to provide data on cattle, sheep, goats, horses, rabbits and beehives, as well as the number of organic livestock by species.

Legal basis and activities for Animal Register:

• Cabinet Regulation No 393 (Arrangement for the registration of livestock and aquaculture animals, their herds and sheds as well as procedure of animal labelling);
• Supervision programmes in Latvia;
• Directive of European Union 92/102/EEC on the identification and registration of animals;
• Council Regulation (EC) 820/97 establishing a system for the identification and registration of bovine animals and regarding the labelling of beef and beef products;
• Regulation (EC) No 1760/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 July 2000 establishing a system for the identification and registration of bovine animals and regarding the labelling of beef and beef products.

In accordance with Section 4 of Cabinet Regulation No 393, the owner is obliged to register and designate livestock, and update information on their designation, transfer, and other events. The herd owner shall within 7-day time submit an application electronically or in paper form, informing about any changes.

Data on the area of organically grown crops were obtained from the Organic Farming Statistics Information System.

Legal basis and activities for Organic Farming Statistics Information System:

• Cabinet Regulation No 485 “Procedure for the Supervision and Control of Organic Farming”;
• The Ministry of Agriculture shall prepare statistical information in line with the requirements of Regulation No 588/2008 and send this information to Eurostat by 1 July of every year.

In accordance with Cabinet Regulation No 485 “Procedure for the Supervision and Control of Organic Farming” of 26 May 2009, holdings shall submit the following information until 1 February of every year to a control body, in which they have filed a submission regarding inclusion in the control system of organic farming: area, grown crops, production of plant and animal origin, type and amount of production. The control body shall submit individual data to the Agricultural Data Centre to be included in the organic farming statistical information system annually by 30 April.

For the provision of information on Rural development support measures during the last three years needed for FSS 2016, RSS IACS information at the customer level was used as the source of information. The database is updated once a year, when the land owner/user submits an application for the single area payment.

Legal basis and Activities for RSS:

• Law on Rural Support Service, 04/28/2004;
• Cabinet Regulation No 876 "Rural Support Service Regulations" of 19 October 2004;
• Agriculture and Rural Development Law, 24.04.2004.

In compliance with Article 4 of the European Parliament and Council Regulation No 1166/2008, in FSS surveys Member States shall use information from the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) provided for in Regulation (EC) No 782/2003, the System for the Identification and Registration of Bovine Animals provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1760/2000, and the Organic farming register provided for in Regulation (EC) No 834/2007. Bovine Register is part of the Animal Register in Latvia.

Representatives of CSB participate in meetings concerning the content of administrative data sources and emphasize needs of statistics, especialy in the context of reducing the administrative burden on the respondents. The CSB has developed constructive cooperation and, as much as possible, takes into account and implements the statistical needs for providing information.

There may be several livestock herd owners/holders in one statistical holding.

In one FSS holding there may be several persons certified for organic farming.

• In Animal register, reporting unit is the livestock herd holder. In one agricultural holding there may be several livestock herd owners/holders. The CSB received individual data from the Animal Register as well as information on the herd owner: name, identity code, and address of residence, address of animal stall, telephone number etc. To combine the data the identity code for physical persons or registration number for legal holdings served as a common identifier. Information on characteristics was integrated in the FSS 2016 database directly from the Animal Register using common identifier. 
• In Organic Farming Statistics Information System, responding unit is a natural or legal person who is awarded a certificate of organic farming by any of the certification bodies. In one FSS holding there may be several persons certified for organic farming. The CSB received individual data from the Organic Farming Register as well as information on the certified person: name, identity code and address of residence, number of Organic farming certificate, telephone number etc. To combine the data the identity code for physical persons or registration number for legal holdings served as a common identifier. Information was integrated in the Statistical Farm register. Statistical Farm Register contains the information about agricultural holdings and persons, who lives in each household. There were identified all certified natural and legal persons and added to agricultural holdings.
• The unit registered in the RSS IACS database is client – natural or legal person eligible to apply for the support within the framework of the activities organised by the RSS. Each client has a unique RSS client registration number.  The information received by the CSB included identity code, client registration number, address of residence, address of person, telephone number etc. For combining data, personal code for physical persons or registration number for legal holdings is used as a common identifier.

After summing up the results of FSS 2016, work will be continued on the assessment of the information available in the Tractor Machinery Register of STCA. The initial results of data analysis indicate that the Tractor Machinery Register does not have references to the use of machinery in agriculture.

CAPI interviews:

The LRATC interviewers used their laptop computers and data input programme developed by the CSB. During the time period from 26 September until the middle of December 24.1 thousand agricultural holdings or 80.5 % were surveyed.

Holdings, whose e-mail addresses were known and which in 2016 used RSS electronic area payment application system, had an opportunity to fill in the FSS 2016 on the Internet. Altogether 9.5 % of the total number of respondents completed the web questionnaires.

CATI interviews:

• application for face-to face interviews – CAPI. The application was installed on the interviewers’ laptops;
• application for telephone interviews – CATI;
• application for fulfilling questionnaire on the Internet – CAWI.

It was important to inform all the respondents (holdings) in due time on the planned FSS 2016, its aims, the acquired results and the significance thereof. Every respondent of FSS 2016 was sent a letter signed by the Vice President of the CSB, containing information on the survey and the possibilities for providing the required data.

The respondents had access to a toll-free phone line over the whole period of the survey.

There was an informative brochure prepared, providing information on the FSS, its aims and cooperation partners of the CSB taking part in the realisation of the survey. The brochure was distributed before the survey via RSS and LRATC.

When starting the survey, the CSB published a press release containing information on the course of the survey, its target population and methods for submitting data. The respective information was republished by regional press, as well as republican publications linked to agriculture.

As the face-to-face interviews began, rural consultants of LRATC informed farmers on the start of the survey through regional press.

In order to reduce FSS 2016 non-response, the information was specified by telephone. Mainly respondents not met during data collection process were contacted. Information obtained by telephone was entered into the database.

With an aim to specify the information, during the data verification process, respondents received a phone call:

• if questionnaire was filled in only partly;
• if the given data were inaccurate or significantly differed from the information available in other sources.

In case of a census 1=3+4+5

Only for sample survey, in which case 2=3+4+5

This item is a subset of 3.

4>4.1+4.2

5=5.1+5.2

5.1>=5.1.1+5.1.2

6=5.2+5.1.2+4.2

The questionnaire included the information on agricultural holding: identification number, name of holder and holding, the address of agricultural holding, correspondence address and contact information.

The main part of the questionnaire included questions grouped into 8 major sections:

1. General characteristics of the agricultural holding;
2. Land use;
3. Utilisation of arable land;
4. Number of livestock (on 1 July 2016);
5. Agricultural machinery owned by the holding (on 1 July 2016);
6. Farm labour force employed permanently and temporarily (number during the previous 12 months);
7. Other gainful activities;
8. Agricultural production methods.

Mathematical and logical controls were developed in compliance with the requirements of the “Data Supplier Manual”. In order to obtain more precise information and facilitate further data processing, they were supplemented with other necessary controls. In respect to the validations failing during the data input process an error notification appeared that indicated the place of the error and the correct value (if possible).

202 controls were incorporated in the data input applications. This did not only ensure mathematical and logical control, but also technically correct data input.

When data were sent to the CSB server, the personnel engaged carried out deeper mathematical and logical controls at the level of holdings. When necessary, the information was revised by contacting the interviewer or holder/manager of agricultural holding.

Data comparison was based on the administrative data sources – RSS IACS database on sown areas and SFR. The primary source used to specify the information was the respondent – CSB employees called the respondents and asked them to give the precise incorrect or missing information.

For data validation purposes, ISDAVS CASIS for individual data was used. For data set validation purposes, Standalone validation tool, developed by Eurostat, was used.

Unit design weights are calculated according to sampling design and inclusion probabilities of units in the sample:

where

N_h is population size of stratum h

n_h is the sample size in stratum h

where

n_h - sample size in stratum;

n^R_n number of units responded in stratum.

Taking into account the response rate, end weights are:

w₂ = w_d * k,

w_d - design weights.

If no farm has responded in a stratum, similar strata are combined and weights are recalculated in stratum. 

Calibration:

Weight calibration was carried out by the number of sheep, pigs, dairy cows, other cattle, poultry, rabbits, bees in each region as of 1 July 2013 and by sown area of crops of IACS – spring rape, winter rape, oats, spring wheat – in each region and total number of farms in each region from frame of FSS.

Package “sampling” of software R is used for the calibration, and g-weights are calculated with the help of function “calib” from this package. In turn, calibration is based on the raking method in the function “calib”.

Please note that when using the GREG (Generalized Regression) estimator (calibration) for FSS, the weights are not equivalent within one stratum. The GREG estimator is used for the estimation of totals. More on the GREG estimator can found in the following literature:

• “Estimation in Surveys with Nonresponse Carl-Erik Särndal/ SixtenLundström, Wiley”;
• “Estimation in the presence of nonresponse and frame imperfections SixtenLundström/ Carl-Erik Särndal, Statistics Sweden”.

The indicators included for the needs of the CSB identify respondents and are needed for maintaining information of the Statistical Farm Register; they also facilitate the use of administrative data in agricultural surveys.

The indicators included for the needs of the MoA are used for the evaluation and assurance of the national agricultural policy. MoA needs detailed information on the use of land in agricultural holdings, including unused agricultural land, as well as detailed information on the types of equipment used for agricultural purposes, etc.

See the list of characteristics collected solely for national purposes in Annex 5.1. List of characteristics collected solely for national purposes.

See Formulas applied for estimating variance of estimates of totals in Annex 6.2. Formulas applied for estimating variance of estimates of totals.

RSE exceeds the 5% limit for indicator "Flowers and ornamental plants (excluding nurseries)". The proportion of area of flowers and ornamental plants is very small in Latvia – 20.6 ha or 0.001% of the utilised agricultural area and is not relevant; therefore, these areas were not taken into account in the sample formation process.

Under-coverage error value for FSS 2016 is irrelevant, and does not significantly affect the quality of calculations.

Information on these farms was not corrected.

The questionnaires were filled in incorrectly due to several reasons, such as problems with the Internet connection and the speed thereof, the survey was comprehensive and very detailed information was asked, thus farmers considered this information confidential, and there was also a need for additional explanations for the indicators in the questionnaire.

Main characteristics that caused most measurement errors:

• meadows and pastures were indicated as grassland sown on arable land and vice versa:
• the labour force section seemed to be too complicated for respondents, as well as interviewers. Respondents do not want to reveal information on employees, their working time and other income-generating activities, as they believe that the respective information is sensitive and confidential;
• questions related to the use of manure;
• manure exported from the holding and manure imported to the holding.

The survey information on sowing areas was compared to the data of RSS IACS. In cases when several IACS clients had to be merged in one statistical holding, corrections were made without contacting the holding. FSS data were compared to the data of the Crop Survey. The information that was not available in administrative data registers was clarified via phone with an interviewer or by directly calling the holding.

• respondent was not met;
• respondent refused to answer.

Respondents with whom it was not possible to get in touch did not have correct contact information. This was especially apparent in phone interviews, when the contact information available to the CSB was not correct.

Unit non-response was treated by re-weighting. The potential for bias was not estimated. 

• the percentage of agricultural goods produced by the holding being sold was not specified;
• table on machinery used by several holdings was completed only partially;
• age of the holder and manager was not specified;
• spouse of the holder was not indicated;
• item on the use and import/export of manure was completed only partially.

Partially completed questionnaires were received mainly from web-respondents.

The problem was also caused by the difference in the definitions of the respondent units in FSS and administrative sources; for example, answers were not provided for the whole area available to the holding, but only for the part, for which support payments were received, or of the part belonging to the agricultural holding registered in the Business Register.

To obtain the missing information, data from the Statistical Farm Register, Population Register, IACS database were used, repeatedly contacting respondents to specify the information when necessary.

• owner’s age and information about the owner’s spouse;
• forests and other land;
• permanent and temporary employees;
• other income-generating activities.

For data imputation information from the SFR, IACS data, as well as FSS 2013 data and other agricultural survey information was used.

Time lag - 1^st provisional results: after 10 months. Press release containing information on the progress of FSS 2016 and the number of agricultural holdings surveyed.

Time lag - 2^nd provisional results: after 15 months. Press release containing information on the number of agricultural holdings, utilised agricultural area, and number of livestock in agricultural holdings of various economic sizes. These provisional results were also published on the CSB webpage.

The data file of the FSS 2016 was sent to Eurostat in December 2017.

In order for the indicators included to meet the national needs, the definitions were developed by experts of the MoA.

In accordance with the Latvian legislation, there are 230 working days or 1840 hours in a year.

To obtain the data, the FSS questionnaire was developed and approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Significant inconsistencies at the level of holdings were revised by calling the respondents.

See Comparison between crop survey 2016 and FSS 2016 and comparison between animal survey 2016 and FSS 2016 in Annex 8.3 Comparison between crop survey 2016 and FSS 2016 and comparison between animal survey 2016 and FSS 2016.

Comparison of the crop survey 2016 and FSS 2016 results shows differences in areas of potatoes and vegetables. The differences between vegetable areas and potato plantations may be explained with the fact that in FSS 2016 potatoes and vegetables for own consumption were included in the data on kitchen gardens, not in breakdown by each crop.

Regarding number of livestock, the changes occurred due to different reference dates. The date of reference for livestock in FSS 2016 is 1 July 2016, whereas for the Animal Survey it is 31 December 2016. These differences in reference date explain the differences in the number of livestock.

FSS 2016 data are reconcilable with Crop statistics, Animal statistics results, with SFR information, Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) and with information of administrative data sources - Animal register, IACS database, Organic Farming Statistics Information System.

There are two press releases on the preliminary results of the FSS 2016 available on the CSB webpage, as well as information on the progress of the survey, and a press release on the final results of FSS 2016.

It is planned to publish the e-publication “Structure of Agricultural Holdings in Latvia, 2016” (.pdf) in March 2018. It will be available on the CSB website.

2^nd provisional results in a press release of September 2017.

Final results in a press release of December 2017.

Final results in CSB database December 2017.

2nd provision results: http://www.csb.gov.lv/en/notikumi/average-size-agricultural-holding-increasing-45781.html

Final results: http://www.csb.gov.lv/notikumi/pern-pieaudzis-lauku-saimniecibu-videjais-lielums-un-samazinajies-skaits-45380.html

1. Morris H. Hansen, William N. Hurwitz, William G. Madow, (1953), Sample survey methods and theory Volume I Methods and applications, 257-258, Wiley.
2. Eurostat Methodologies and Working papers, Handbook on precision requirements and variance estimation for ESS household surveys, 2013, http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/3859598/5927001/KS-RA-13-029-EN.PDF
3. Jean-Claude Deville (1999). Variance estimation for complex statistics and estimators: linearization and residual techniques. Survey Methodology, 25, 193-203, http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/12-001-x/1999002/article/4882-eng.pdf
4. The GREG estimator is used for the estimation of totals. More on the GREG estimator can found in the following literature:
   • “Estimation in Surveys with Nonresponse Carl-Erik Särndal/ SixtenLundström, Wiley”;
   • “Estimation in the presence of nonresponse and frame imperfections SixtenLundström/ Carl-Erik Särndal, Statistics Sweden”.

In accordance with item 5 of Quality Guidelines of the CSB of Latvia, the CSB ensures confidentiality and protection of information provided by the respondents as well as individual information received from other sources pursuant to the respondent of national legislation in force.

During the collection, processing and dissemination of the FSS 2016 data, data confidentiality and security was guaranteed to every respondent in compliance with the Statistics Law. The staff engaged in the FSS had to sign legal confidentiality commitments.

During the data collection, safety of data was also ensured by using a safe public data transfer network. After sending the data to the CSB, the interviewers were not able to access the respondent information. At the end of the field work of FSS 2016, the employees of the IT Department of the CSB deleted the data input programme from the interviewer laptop computers.

Information on FSS 2016 will be published at the national, as well as statistical region level.