What is MEA-Scope?MEA-Scope is the Acronym for “Micro-economic instruments for impact assessment of multifunctional agriculture to implement the Model of European Agriculture”, a Policy Oriented Research Project of the Sixth Framework Programme (Priority 8, B1.1., Task 5) launched by the European Commission in 2004.
As a Specific Targeted Research and Innovation Project (STREP) MEA-Scope supports the realisation of sustainability of agriculture and forestry by addressing their multifunctional role in rural areas. MEA-Scope develops an integrated framework for the assessment of the multifunctionality impacts of the CAP reform.
The Background
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform aims at higher international trade compatibility and better targeting of social, environmental and consumer concerns, while seeking to ensure the sustainable development of EU agriculture. To optimise the effectiveness and efficiency of CAP reform options towards multifunctionality implementations, tools are required to assess the impacts of agricultural production on the multiple functions of European landscapes.
The MEA-Scope objectives
For developing the multifunctionality concept into an operational policy instrument, MEA-Scope set five main objectives:
- Further development of the multifunctionality concept for European agriculture;
- Development of quantitative tool for assessment of the multifunctionality impacts of CAP reform options;
- Answering of policy-relevant questions for the implementation of the multifunctionality concept;
- Demonstration of the operability of the integrated assessment framework;
- Generation of scientific knowledge on specific questions regarding multifunctionality of agriculture, particularly with respect to spatial scale and regional differences.
