Title: Implementing multifunctionality

Authors: John G. Lee, Philip L. Paarlberg, Maury Bredahl

Addresses: Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University, 403 W. State St., W. Lafayette, IN 47907, USA. ' Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University, 403 W. State St., W. Lafayette, IN 47907, USA. ' Department of Agricultural Economics and Business, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada

Abstract: Reductions of trade barriers and re-instrumentation of policy has led to a situation where nations believe that their pursuit of amenities tied to agriculture, multifunctionality, is jeopardised. Conflicting views of multifunctionality creates difficulties in trade talks. This paper examines the implementation of a policy designed around multifunctionality and integrating it into trade rules. Three issues are addressed: identification, valuations, and linkage to agricultural output. Identification includes problems of composition, scope, and scale. Valuation techniques have problems, but are being applied to many resources. Determining the precise linkage between commodity output levels and externalities is the final challenge.

Keywords: multifunctionality; multifunctional agriculture; non-trade concerns; World Trade Organisation; WTO; agricultural policy; trade rules.

DOI: 10.1504/IJARGE.2005.007452

International Journal of Agricultural Resources, Governance and Ecology, 2005 Vol.4 No.3/4, pp.216 - 231

Published online: 22 Jul 2005 *

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