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At European level, there is intensive cooperation in the field of conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources.
Specific cooperation programmes have been agreed for some sectors:
• European Co-operation Programme on Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR)
The European Co-operation Programme on Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR) is a Community
programme among most European countries aimed at ensuring the long-term conservation in gene
banks (ex situ) and facilitating the use of plant genetic resources in Europe.
More about ECPGR here.
• European Regional Focal Point for Animal Genetic Resources (ERFP)
The European Regional Focal Point for Animal Genetic Resources (ERFP) is a European platform
dedicated to the conservation and sustainable use of animal genetic resources. It has a similar
structure to ECPGR, but not only supports the conservation of farm animals ex situ, but also "in
situ", i.e. in farm animals through active breeding of animal populations for food and agricultural
production. ERFP is thus actively contributing to the implementation of the FAO Global Plan of Action
for Animal Genetic Resources.
• European Programme for Forest Genetic Resources (EUFORGEN)
EUFORGEN, the European Regional Programme for Forest Genetic Resources, was founded in 1990
on the initiative of the first European Conference of Forest Ministers. Similar to the networks
mentioned above, it promotes the conservation and sustainable use of forest genetic resources in
Europe as an integral part of sustainable forest management. It serves as a platform for pan-
European cooperation in this field.
EUFORGEN supports both in situ and ex situ protection efforts, but with a strong focus on
conservation in situ.