AMES, Iowa — The following statement was issued by Aaron Lehman, IFU President regarding the approval of the Bayer-Monsanto merger:
“The approved merger is bad news for Iowa farmers. The decrease in competition will result in fewer innovations in research, fewer choices for farmers to buy our inputs, and to higher costs to grow our crops.”
“The timing of this decision couldn’t be worse. According to the USDA, Iowa farmers will have lower farm income for the fifth year in a row. Less competition will ultimately lead to higher prices for farmers buying inputs and even less income left on the farm.”
“Leaving so much leverage in the hands of just a few multi-national agribusiness giants is just inviting abuses of power.”
Lehman is a fifth generation farmer from rural Polk County.
Contact Aaron Lehman, IFU President, at alehman@iowafarmersunion.org or 515.291.2656 for more information.
— Iowa Farmers Union
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