The DTC Philosophy
The DTC is interested in
preserving the viability of America's dairy family farmers in a rapidly
changing world; that is, the new global marketplace. The DTC believes
that there is a great deal of commonality between its members and their
European dairy family farmer counterparts with whom they share a common
heritage and similar production life styles.
The pillars of the DTC philosophy are several:
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The goal of the DTC is to promote international trade polices that serve
to keep the market in the United States for milk and milk products strong
and viable. The DTC concerns itself only with international trade
policy and takes no stand on domestic dairy issues.
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The DTC recognizes that the future of the American dairy industry lies
in greater market orientation. We believe that intelligent, rational,
and business-like strategies are imperative if America's dairy family farmers
are to be successful in a global market and in international negotiations.
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The DTC believes that any future trade agreements must take into account
the unique status of the family dairy farm to America's rich landscape.
Farms are more than businesses. Like their European counterparts,
America's traditional dairy farms support a diverse rural culture that
provides many important economic, social, and environmental benefits to
the state and nation. This important multi-functional role must be clearly
recognized and preserved in any future trade agreements.
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The DTC believes that America's international dairy trade policy should
be developed in a manner which respects the human factor of agricultural
production. The importance of trade must not be overemphasized to
the detriment of America's social and economic health.
Membership Profile
The Dairy Trade Coalition (DTC) was
formed in June 1992 by Family Dairies, USA, Women Involved in Farm Economics
(WIFE) and Trugman-Nash, Inc. Shortly thereafter, National Milk Producers
Federation (NMPF) became part of the coalition. Family Dairies, USA and
NMPF are no longer members of the DTC.
WIFE is a grassroots organization
whose membership is composed of women that are actively involved in all
areas of agricultural production with their husbands and families.
WIFE has been active in the promotion of American agriculture for over
twenty-two (22) years. WIFE has chapters in over thirty five (35)
of the fifty (50) United States. Kay Zeosky, a dairy farmer from
Turin, New York, is the WIFE representative on the DTC board of directors.
Zeosky has been involved with her husband in their family dairy operations
for over 30 years.
Trugman-Nash, Inc. (TN) is
an importer/exporter of dairy foods. TN, established in 1946
by Bernie Trugman, has been involved in the global trade arena for over
fifty (50) years. TN was importing cheese before the first quotas
were introduced in 1953. TN has been active in the following businesses:
export of a variety of products to the Caribbean; major exporter of U.S.
poultry; importer of lobster tails, boneless beef, and exporter of potatoes.
TN, through its sister company Cemac Foods Corp., is a manufacturer and
distributor to the natural foods market. Tom May is the TN representative
on the DTC board of directors. May, a 1964 graduate of Colgate University,
has been successfully involved in international dairy trade for over 24
years. He has appeared as an expert witness before the International Trade
Commission and various committees of the United States Congress.
DTC Executive Office
The DTC is based in Washington,
D.C. Its Executive Director is A. Mario Castillo. Castillo
served as Chief of Staff for the House Agriculture Committee for nearly
a decade. In that role, Mr. Castillo initiated Committee legislative
proposals and assured their adoption by the U.S. Congress and approval
by the President in concert with the Members of the Committee. He
also developed and implemented successful national and international promotional
and marketing plans and events for the American agribusiness community;
e.g., wine, dairy, and educational institutions.
Angelo State University honored
Mr. Castillo in 1992 with its Distinguished Alumnus Award. In 1986,
he served as the U.S. Congressional delegate to The Ditchley Foundation's
conference in Oxford, England on "International Problems of Supply and
Demand in Agriculture: Feeding the People, Preserving Rural Structures
and Farming Communities, and Ensuring Freedom for Trade". The Congressional
Hispanic Caucus, in 1985, designated Mr. Castillo as one of the top 25
Hispanic Leaders in the U.S. In 1973, Mr. Castillo was the recipient
of the Ford Foundation's Washington Internship in Education.
Mr. Castillo has authored,
and coauthored, trade articles which have appeared in publications such
as The Journal of Commerce and Foreign Trade Magazine. He has served as
Commissioner of the Arts and Humanities for the District of Columbia, and
as Chairman of The Friends Council of The National Museum of Women in the
Arts in Washington, D.C. Prior to his government service, Mr. Castillo
was an educator in Texas. He continues to be involved in his family-owned
and operated irrigation company in Texas. Castillo was appointed
by the Chairman of Delta Airlines to serve as a member of Delta's Business
Travel Advisory Council for a one year term. Most recently, he was
appointed by U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman and
USTR Barshefsky to serve on the USDA Animal and Animal Products Trade Advisory
Committee.
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