Organization

About EU FADN / FSDN

The Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) was established in the European Union in 1965 as a unified framework for the annual collection of production, economic, and financial data from a representative sample of agricultural holdings. The sample is determined based on the economic size of the holding, type of production, and region, covering approximately 90% of total utilized agricultural area, 90% of total livestock units, and more than 90% of the value of agricultural production in the Member States.

The annual implementation of FADN surveys is mandatory for all Member States and represents a key tool for the European Commission to monitor farmers’ income and the impacts of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). In the Republic of Croatia, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is responsible for the implementation of the system as the Liaison Agency.

Transition from FADN to FSDN

From 2023 onwards, a gradual transition from FADN to the Farm Sustainability Data Network (FSDN) began, significantly enhancing and expanding the existing system. In addition to economic data, FSDN includes the collection of information on environmental practices and social aspects, providing farmers with a clearer insight into the performance of their holdings and improving data collection through more efficient exchange with other sources.

The regulatory framework for FSDN’s operation has been established through several key acts:

Regulation (EU) 2023/2674 formally adopted the decision to convert FADN into FSDN.
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2746 (October 2024) defines variables, the methodology for selecting holdings, data exchange rules, and financing.
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1417 (May 2024) regulates the calculation of annual income, sustainability analysis at the holding level, and access to data for research purposes.
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2499 (September 2024) ensures substantial financial support to Member States for the costs of transitioning to FSDN.

The transition was preceded by the FSDN pilot project (2022–2023) and a multi-year process of consultation and coordination within the framework of the “Farm to Fork” strategy, in which the European Commission first announced its intention to modernize and expand the FADN system.