The present Directive makes provision on the surveys to be conducted by Member States as regards bovine animal production. For the purposes of this Directive, the term 'bovine animals' means domestic animals of the species Bos taurus, Bubalus bubalus and Beefalo. The Directive is divided into the following four Sections: (I) Surveys of the population; (II) Slaughtering statistics; (III) Production forecasts; (IV) General provisions. The surveys referred to in Section I shall be conducted in such a way as to provide a breakdown of the bovine population into at least the categories specified in article 3. The Member States shall forward to the Commission the data referred to in Articles 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13. The Commission shall examine, in consultation with the Member States: (a) the results supplied; (b) the technical problems which arise, in particular in preparing and carrying out the surveys and estimates; (c) the reliability of the survey results and estimates (art. 15).