Greece

Livestock surveys

The methodology of livestock surveys which is described in this chapter was applied in Greece in 1998 and 2000.

Surveys on the number of pigs

In Greece one survey on the number of pigs is carried out per year, namely in December. The surveys are separate pig censuses.

All the surveys are sample surveys. The average sample error is 2%. The last full survey was carried out in 1998. The sampling method that is used is a one stage stratified random sample. 3 % of the total pig population and 23.119 holdings are recorded by the survey.

The surveys are carried out in selected regions, namley on the NUTS II-level.

The Method which is used for estimating the pig population that is not recorded by the sample surveys is that variances of each holding are multiplied by an appropriate coefficient (reverse value of the holding choice probability) and consequently results of multiplication are added.

The data are obtained by oral interviews with farmers. The average response rate is 100 %. The National Statistical Service of Greece is responsible for carrying out the surveys.

Greece does not plan to use administrative data instead of statistical surveys within the next 5 years.

Surveys on the number of cattle

In Greece one survey on the number of cattle is carried out per year, namely in December. All the surveys are separate cattle censuses.

The surveys are sample surveys. The average sample error is 1.5%. The last full survey was carried out in 1998. The sampling method that is used is a one stage stratified random sample. 2,3 % of the total cattle population and 34.696 holdings are recorded by the survey.

The surveys are carried out in selected regions, namley on the NUTS II-level.

The Method which is used for estimating the cattle population that is not recorded by the sample surveys is that variances of each holding are multiplied by an appropriate coefficient (reverse value of the holding choice probability) and consequently results of multiplication are added.

The data are obtained by oral interviews with farmers. The average response rate is 100 %. The National Statistical Service of Greece is responsible for carrying out the surveys.

Greece does not plan to use administrative data instead of statistical surveys within the next 5 years.

Surveys on the number of sheep and goats

In Greece one survey on the number of sheep and goats is carried out per year, namely in December. Sheep and goat populations are recorded separately and all the surveys are separate sheep and goat censuses.

All the surveys are sample surveys. The average sample error is 2%. The last full survey was carried out in 1998. The sampling method that is used is a one stage stratified random sample. 1,8 % of the total sheep population and 1,5 % of the total goat population are recorded by the survey. 132.988 sheep and 140.243 goat holdings are recorded by the survey.

The surveys are carried out in selected regions, namley on the NUTS II-level.

The Method which is used for estimating the sheep/goat population that is not recorded by the sample surveys is that variances of each holding are multiplied by an appropriate coefficient (reverse value of the holding choice probability) and consequently results of multiplication are added.

The data are obtained by oral interviews with farmers. The average response rate is 100 %. The National Statistical Service of Greece is responsible for carrying out the surveys.

Greece does not plan to use administrative data instead of statistical surveys within the next 5 years.

Statistics on slaughterings

Monthly slaughtering data are available in Greece on the number and slaughterweight for pigs overall, calves, heifers, cows, bulls, bullocks, sheep overall, lambs and goats overall.

Availability of monthly data on slaughterings

	Number	Slaughter Weight
Pigs, total	X	X
Calves	X	X
Heifers	X	X
Cows	X	X
Bulls	X	X
Bullocks	X	X
Sheep, total	X	X
Lambs	X	X
Goats, total	X	X

The prefectural departments of the Ministry of Agriculture, under the supervision of the veterinary services responsible for monitoring abattoir hygiene, record slaughtered animals during the month of their slaughter.

The very small number of animals slaughtered outside abattoirs is estimated on the basis of informal sample surveys of stockbreeders by members of the above departments. These data are sent to the Central Service of the Ministry of Agriculture (Directorate for Agricultural Policy and Documentation) the following month, where they are checked and computer processed. They are then ready for all types of use.

Production forecasts (gross indigenous production)

In order to estimate the extent of the projected production of pigs, sheep, goats and cattle, Greece bases the calculations on:

estimates from the prefectural departments, which work in conjunction with the main livestock holdings;
the external trade in (imports of ) live animals, taking due account of (i) the status of domestic production and (ii) the trend in imports over the past few years

Poultry statistics

Monthly data are available. These are estimates by the prefectural departments based on eggs for incubation (for battery breeding) and estimates of domestic poultry rearing (for all types of poultry).