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France
Livestock surveys
Surveys on the number of pigs
Methodology updated on 01/11/01. Methodology used since 1990, but number of surveys per year reduced from three to two in 1999.
France carries out two pig surveys a year, in May and November. They cover only the pig population.
These are sample surveys whose average sampling error is less than 0.5% in November and 1% in May. In France, the most recent exhaustive surveys were organised as part of the agricultural censuses of 1989 and 2000. Surveys cover 98% (in November) and 80% (May) of the pig population. The new sample for November 2001, drawn from the sampling base of the 2000 census, covers 5 700 holdings. The sample for the May 2002 survey will cover 3 000 holdings.
The May and November surveys are independent of each other. Samples are stratified according to the typology of the livestock farms (breeders, breeders-fatteners, fatteners) and their size. Only holdings above a threshold of five sows or 20 pigs are surveyed. The samples comprise panels which are renewed about once every five years. However, France is adjusting the level at which the survey is carried out (total pig population) to that used in the structure surveys. For years in which a structure survey is not carried out, interpolation or extrapolation is used.
In May, the survey takes place in the main pig-farming regions. In November, however, only those regions where the pig herd is insignificant are excluded.
The 1%-2% of the pig herd located outside the geographical area covered by the November survey is estimated on the basis of the values for the structure surveys, because these regions change little, and the few changes which do occur often differ from those in the sample.
Except for the initial contact (November 2001), surveys are done by telephone. The survey is carried out by the SCEES and the regional ministerial departments. The response rate is 100%.
France has no medium-term plans (i.e. between now and 2005) to replace the pig surveys with administrative data.
Surveys on the number of cattle
Methodology updated on 01/11/01. Methodology used since 1990.
France carries out two cattle surveys per year, in May and November. These surveys cover only the cattle population.
These are sample surveys whose average sampling error is less than 0.5% in November and 1% in May. The most recent exhaustive surveys were carried out as part of the agricultural censuses of 1989 and 2000. The surveys cover 97% (in November) and 76% (May) of the cattle population. In November 2001, the survey was carried out among 17 600 holdings. In May 2002, the sample will comprise between 5 000 and 6 000 holdings.
The sample is selected from the sampling base (the most recent agricultural census) and stratification is done according to the typology and size of livestock farms.
The November survey covers nearly the entire national territory (and 98% of the population). In May, only the main regions are surveyed (80% of the population).
The cattle population not located within the geographical area covered by the survey is estimated by extrapolation, on the basis of the most recent structure survey and taking due account of trends in the survey sample.
In November 2001, the survey was done by telephone, as the preferred means of establishing initial contact with the panel. Future surveys will also be done by telephone. The survey is carried out by the SCEES and the regional ministerial departments. The response rate is 100%.
In the medium term, (by about 2006), France plans to replace the cattle surveys with administrative data. The "Base nationale d'identification permanente des animaux" will be used as the data source.
Surveys on the number of sheep and goats
Methodology updated on 01/11/01. Methodology used since 1990.
France carries out sheep and goat surveys every November. They are carried out independently of one another and the sheep and goat populations are counted separately.
These sample surveys have an average sampling error of less than 1% for sheep and less than 2% for goats. The most recent exhaustive survey was carried out in 2000. The surveys cover 95% of the sheep and goat populations. The sheep survey is based on a sample of 6 700 holdings, the goat survey on one of 2 900.
Samples are drawn from the agricultural census. They will be used for five years. A change to the level of the structure surveys is planned. Only holdings with at least 10 sheep or 5 goats are surveyed.
Almost all French regions are involved in the sheep surveys, while the goat population, which is concentrated in certain regions, is surveyed only in those regions.
Livestock located outside the geographical area covered by the survey is estimated by extrapolating the data from the 2000 census and the structures surveys, taking due account of survey trends.
Apart from November 2001, when initial contact was established by a personal visit from the enumerator, surveys are done by telephone. The survey is carried out by the SCEES and the regional ministerial departments. The response rate is 100%.
In the medium term (between now and 2005), France has no plans to replace the sheep and goat surveys with administrative data.
Statistics on slaughterings
Methodology updated on 01/11/01.
France compiles monthly statistics on the number and weight of animals which are killed in abattoirs and whose meat is used exclusively for human consumption, as well as of those intended for withdrawals, i.e. pigs (total), calves, heifers, cows, bulls, steers, sheep (total), lambs and goats (total).
Availability of monthly data on slaughterings
Weight
Since 2000, the 340 enterprises in question have reported their slaughtering statistics directly to the SCEES on a centralised basis. These enterprises reply by fax to a questionnaire which is faxed to them at the end of each month. The data are available on the 20th day of the month following the month in which the data are collected ("m + 20 days"). "Home slaughterings" (non-controlled slaughterings) are insignificant, except in the case of sheep. Adjustments are made using coefficients which are liable to periodic revision, to establish "total slaughterings".
Data on external trade in live animals
Data on external trade in live animals (exports and imports) are provided by French Customs in unit, volume (tonnes) and value terms. The SCEES has its own database, which is updated (for the most recent 13-month period) between the 20th and 25th of each month, using Customs data. Thus, on the 25th of each month, the data for month "m-2" become available (e.g. the August data become available on 25 October). The quantities traded are declared by the companies involved in imports and exports.
France applies the CN8. The aggregates are those used in the EU (Eurostat) nomenclature. Calculations are done in carcass or egg weight equivalent tonnes, using coefficients which, generally speaking, are not employed by Eurostat. A description is sent to Eurostat annually.
Production forecasts (gross indigenous production)
France calculates its gross indigenous production according to the official EU definition: total slaughterings plus exports of live animals less imports of live animals. Total slaughterings correspond to adjusted, controlled slaughterings.
A distinction is made between intra-Community trade and trade with non-member countries.
France uses a demographic model for its production forecasts. Each category of animal appearing in a given survey makes up a part of future production.
Slaughter and production data are published monthly via e-mails sent to subscribers to the "Supplément mensuel d'animaux hebdo" and are made available free of charge on the Ministry of Agriculture's website: www.agreste.agriculture.gouv.fr
Poultry statistics
Methodology updated on 01/11/01.
France has a comprehensive system of statistical monitoring for poultry.
Controlled slaughters of poultry are surveyed each month at the 220 biggest abattoirs (between 96% and 99% of the total, depending on the species). An annual survey is also carried out among 400 small abattoirs. Results are available on m + 35 days. However, some slaughterings are done by private individuals for their personal consumption. These are not included in the slaughtering statistics.
Egg collection and packaging is the subject of a monthly survey carried out among 140 establishments and an annual survey of 400 small establishments. Results become available on m + 45.
A survey among 30 French poultry breeders is carried out monthly. The results are transmitted to Eurostat. However, they are unusable for production forecast purposes as they are not closely correlated with the data on the next generation of hatchlings.
The activities of hatcheries are the subject of a monthly follow-up for the main species of poultry. Each month, the 150 hatcheries answer a questionnaire which asks for weekly data. This provides information on the hatcheries' capacity, the number of eggs in incubation, broken down by type (i.e. for egg or meat production) and the number of chicks incubated and hatched in France (taking foreign trade in chicks into account). The results become available between m + 45 and m + 60.
Gross indigenous production is calculated every three months, based on the number of hatchlings and foreign trade in chicks, using production models. Results (balances) are calculated quarterly and published 60 days after the end of the previous quarter (by which time the external trade data become available).
Production is estimated on the basis of the number of hatchlings. Average carcass weight is determined using the survey of slaughters.
A model of the production of eggs intended for consumption is used to forecast the number of pullets hatched and due to come into production five to six months later. A demographic model is used to forecast the production of the entire population of layers within about one year.
The forecast of poultry meat production is necessarily a very short-term one, given the speed of livestock-farming cycles.
Poultry-farming statistics are published monthly in the review "Aviculture" and are also available free of charge on the Ministry of Agriculture's Internet site: www.agreste.agriculture.gouv.fr