The Symposium was organised in three sessions, corresponding to the driving factors that accompany the key points of the theme of interest: a)The genetic choices compatible with a quality and typificity specific to the traditions of Southern Europe. They include both the cosmopolitan genotypes selected for this objective and the local breeds, revisited due to their appropriate aptitudes and now recognised in their contribution to the biodiversity of farm animals. b)Feed resources linking farming systems to specific biotopes, where pig farming contributes directly to their constitution, valorisation and associated landscapes and where the responsibility of the farmers and the production sectors lies in ensuring the continuation of such biotopes and their environmental role. c)Processing know-how in order to be able to take advantage of the carcass, meat and fat potential coherent with the technical and gastronomical cultures associated with these specialised productions of high added value in the target markets. To these three pillars we could add health aspects or the challenges of animal welfare which arise as a result of the extensive nature of many situations, or even the need to develop control strategies for products adapted to production standards