7103.0.80.002 - Agricultural Census: ABS Views on Content and Procedures, 2010-11  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 14/10/2009  First Issue
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MEDIA RELEASE
October 14, 2009
72/2009

ABS looking for comments on its next Ag Census

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is looking for comments on the nature and content of its next Agricultural Census, to be run from June 2011.

The Agricultural Census is held every five years, and is the second largest collection that the ABS undertakes after the population census.

It plays a vital role in supporting the development and monitoring of Australia's agricultural, natural resource and water policies.

'Australian agriculture contributes around 2.5% of Australia's gross domestic product and employs over 300,000 people,' said Gemma Van Halderen, head of the ABS Agriculture Statistics program.

Gemma also explains the importance of this industry to supporting the environment: 'Over half of Australia's land is used for agricultural production, and in 2004-05 as much as two-thirds of Australia's annual water consumption was used for agricultural production.'

'The Ag Census provides an important opportunity to collect information to help our understanding of agriculture's contribution to Australia's economy and environment.

'The ABS welcomes input during the design and development stages of the collection.'
    The ABS is seeking feedback on the proposed list of items to be collected as part of the 2010-11 Agricultural Census, the areas that results should be provided for, how the results can be accessed to maximise their value to users of agriculture data, and any other aspects of the Agriculture Census.

    People interested in providing comments can read the information paper Agricultural Census: ABS Views on Content and Procedures 2010-11 (cat. 7103.0.80.002) on the ABS web site (www.abs.gov.au).

    The closing date for comments is Friday, November 20, 2009.