Multifunctionality Concepts: A Critical Assessment of the Framework Approaches

Multifunctionality has been the object of several studies and discussions over the past few years. This has resulted into a significant number of chapters, where the concept of multifunctionality is discussed with different approaches and interpretations according to the contexts in which the debate has been developed. The concept is generally quoted as an assumption for the acknowledgement of the primary sector's complex role for the welfare of the whole society. However, at international level the different concepts originate from a common assumption, although they do not offer an even and comprehensive focus on the issue, but rather provide an interesting overview of the concept's complexity. The chapter offers a review of some of the main aspects of the approaches adopted by some international organisations in their analysis of the multifunctionality concept. The key issues regarded as relevant in the analysis of the multifunctionality concept are organized into five defining and two application elements. The five defining elements are: (1). the purpose of the definition of multifunctionality, (2). the directly or indirectly involved parties, (3). the time horizon, (4). the space dimension of multifunctionality concept and (5). the elementary objects making up multifunctionality (functions, non commodities outputs, etc.). The two application elements are: the instruments for the assessment of the proposed functions and the instruments for the political implementation (constraint systems, targeted payments, tradable permits, auction systems, negotiation agreements, etc.). The chapter aims at reviewing the concept of multifunctionality, as it results from the different international documents, highlighting shared elements and differences in view of agricultural functions, answering the main questions: How to define different agricultural functions? How to evaluate them?