Concerted activities on AnGR in Europe started in 1980, when the European Association for Animal Production (EAAP) established a working group on AnGR.

At the global level, 1980 is also the starting point, since the first expert consultation on AnGR was held in Rome with FAO.

Nevertheless, the exact expectation of the National Coordinators (NCs) towards a Regional Focal Point had to be clarified. The NCs proposed that France with assistance of Poland perform jointly tasks of an "informal Regional Focal Point".

The NCs considered that RFP must have a light organisational structure taking into account the relatively weak means, which can be devoted by a majority of the countries.

Two basic decisions for the future ERFP were taken during this important meeting in Warsaw:

1. set up a light structure in order to support important and future evolution,
2. respect of national sovereignty in the farm animals genetic resources management and the free adhesion of the countries at this co-ordinating structure.

To continue the discussions, France proposed the creation of a Trust Fund for financing RFP activities. All European countries participation is implicit; but country participation to finance RFP is not a precondition to participate in all programme activities. France expressed willingness to contribute with $ 76 000 to establish ERFP if other countries join this action.

In this context, the conclusions of Warsaw workshop were fully respected. During this meeting, the NCs have agreed that the annual NCs workshop should be continued and asked France to continue to act as the temporary ERFP for one more year and to carry out an inquiry among the European countries on their willingness and expectations toward the establishment of ERFP.

At the end of 1999 the inquiry was finished and around 80% of European countries voted for one ERFP based on light organisational structures, with funding provided by a dedicated trust fund financially managed and fully edited by EAAP (Rome).