The European Regional Focal Point (ERFP) for Animal Genetic Resources coordinates activities related to conservation and sustainable use of animal genetic resources in Europe. It supports the implementation of the FAO Global Plan of Action. Key activities of ERFP include supporting ex situ conservation through the European Genebank Network, maintaining documentation in EFABIS, providing guidance on access and benefit sharing, and collaborating with the European Union on relevant policies. Working groups and task forces carry out activities like workshops, projects, and position papers, while the secretariat and steering committee oversee operations and implementation of the work plan.

1. University
of Ljubljana
Biotechnical
faculty
European Regional Focal Point
(ERFP)
Danijela Bojkovski, Mojca Simčič
- ERFP Secretariat -
9th Session ITWG-AnGR, Rome 6-8 July 2016

2. ERFP
 ERFP was established as a part of FAO´s global
coordination structure for AnGR which is based upon
national and regional focal points
 ERFP acts as regional platform and plays a vital role in
bringing together European National Coordinators
(NCs) on AnGR and encourage co-operation in AnGR
conservation activity across Europe

3. Objectives of ERFP
 To support the in situ and ex situ conservation and sustainable
use of AnGR in European countries
 To facilitate the implementation of the FAO Global Plan of
Action in Europe
 To stimulate funding and organisation of regional projects,
researches, workshops and national programmes for AnGR
within the European Region
 To develop and maintain regular contact and exchange of
relevant information on AnGR.

4.  Member countries (European Region) of ERFP are
represented in the Assembly by National
Coordinators.
 Funding of ERFP: all ERFP member countries pay a
voluntary contribution to the ERFP according to the
GDP FAO / UN scale.
Assembly of NC is main decision body:
Budget and annual work plan;
Technical and policy guidance;
Responsibility of implementing the MYPOW;
Establishment/termination of WG, TF, Ad Hoc actions.
Operational structure

5. Structure of the ERFP
ERFP Assembly of National Coordinators
ERFP Steering Committee
ERFP Secretariat
Working Groups1 Ad hoc actions3Task Forces2
Ex situ Conservation
Documentation and
Information
ABS
Collaboration with EU
Project xy
Workshop xy
Meeting xy
Note:
1 = Working Groups: established on a permanent basis
2 = Task Forces: established on a temporary basis to solve specific tasks
3 = Ad hoc Actions: projects on a project basis to solve specific tasks
Change in last
four years
Projects
Activities of
permanent
structures or
Ad hoc actions

7. ERFP SC and Secretariat
5 members
 Headed by a chair
 Establishes Task Forces
 Evaluates Ad hoc Action
 Funding proposals
 Work of the Secretariat
 Rotational
 Information platform
 Decisions of Assembly
 Provide technical support
 Manage financial issues
 ERFP website

8. Activities of WG Ex Situ Conservation
November 2014 - present
EUGENA
 Support development of gene banks
 Share information, knowledge and expertise
 Facilitate access to, and assessment of AnGR kept in
genebank collections
 European portal/register for gene bank
collections initiated
 Collaboration in EU
IMAGE research project,
supports development of gene banks

9. Activities of WG Ex Situ Conservation
November 2014 - present
2016 - European Genebank Network for Animal Genetic
Resources (EUGENA)
Process of signing
Memorandum of
Understanding
between countries
and ERFP Secretariat

10. Activities of WG Ex Situ Conservation
November 2014 - present
2016 – Workshop in Gödöllő organized jointly with FAO office in
Budapest, Hungary
Main topic:
In situ and Ex situ
gene conservation:
exchange of
knowledge
http://www.rfp-europe.org/

11. Activities of WG Ex Situ Conservation
2015 – Jointly organized EAAP– session „Gene bank strategies for
long term conservation and to support in situ conservation”

12. Activities of WG Documentation
and Information
November 2014 - present
 Encourage regular updating of EFABIS and improvement of data quality
 Encourage the use of Cryoweb software to manage national genebanks

13. Activities of WG Documentation
and Information
November 2014 - present
 Development of new tools
 Classification:
o Native
o Locally adapted
o Exotic
 Transboundary
breeds

14. Activities of WG Documentation
and Information
November 2014 - present
 Sharing experiences between member groups at annual
meetings
 EFABIS current status and future
management
 Survey on EFABIS use
 Bled Workshop – new DAD-IS
mockups, FENIX
 Specific elements and
requirements from ERG
 Advising - EUGENA webportal,
new ERFP website

15. Activities of Task Force ABS
 Participation in ABS Consultation Forum established by the
European Commission (511/2014 EU Regulation)
 Preparation of ERFP position on the Draft Guidance on
Animal Breeding Sector (511/2014 EU Regulation)
 Development of MAA and MTA
for EUGENA
 Preparation of a paper on ABS
issues in livestock sector

16. Activities of Task Force ABS
Contribution to FAO debate on
ABS
(based on collection of examples
of current practices of exchange
of AnGR)
 Submission of info document for
consideration by:
 the Team of Technical and
Legal Experts on ABS
 15th session of the CGRFA

17. Activities of Task Force EU Matters
Objectives:
 Maintain - appropriate connexion with the
European Institutions
 Collaboration and support to EU on AnGR related
matters
 Increase awareness within NC‘s related to AnGR
legislation

18. Activities of Task Force EU Matters
Activities:
Identification of EU Institutions, potential
collaboration and relevant legislation affecting
AnGR to inform NC‘s
Raising awareness among NC‘s related to
Zootechnical legislation
ERFP position on the Draft Guidance on Animal
Breeding Sector (511/2014 EU Regulation)
Collaboration and support to EU
Preparatory action developing
the EU policy on agrobiodiversity

19. Examples of
Ad hoc Actions:
Joined
preparation of
comments to the
SoW 2 Report

20. Examples of Ad hoc Actions

21. Examples of Ad hoc Actions
• Objective: to develop
European/ERFP Web portal
Network of Genebanks for
AnGR in Europe
• To facilitate access to
information about the gene
bank collections in Europe

22. Examples of Ad hoc Actions
ITWG-AnGR
Joined
preparation of
position papers

23. FUTURE
General Assembly in Belfast:
o Plans and budget
o New EU Animal Breeding Regulation
o Promoting the use of rare breeds (in situ
support)
Joint session EAAP/ERFP on ABS
EUGENA logo and web portal
ERFP logo and new website

24. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE!