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 DTC concerns itself only with international trade policy and takes no stand on domestic dairy issues. 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. 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. 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. D.C. Its Executive Director is A. Mario Castillo.