The objective of this two-day international conference, organized by the National Research Institute of Animal Production in partnership with the Foundation for the Development of Polish Agriculture, the Mountain Product Society Association and the National Council of Agricultural Chambers, will be to present and exchange knowledge (lectures, panel session) concerning the measures applied in selected EU member countries for the structure and functioning of mountain farming programmes and other farming-related activities in mountain areas. This will help to orient discussions and work in this area in Poland, avoid repeating the mistakes made by other countries, and take advantage of their long-term experience. The fact that the speakers will include scientists, experts and breeders among others from Italy, Portugal, Greece, Spain, Slovenia and Croatia the countries in which the issues concerning mountain areas are covered by appropriate programmes or dedicated measures, will enable the experience to be efficiently exchanged and disseminated in support of the development of mountain areas in Poland.