From Wisconsin Ag Connection
The National Black Farmers Association is calling on its 66,000 members to launch a nationwide boycott of agricultural giant Monsanto to protest a proposed a $1.5 billion merger by the company that would reduce competition and crush small farmers.
Dr. John Boyd, president of the community-based farmers' advocacy group, will lead a news conference at the U.S Department of Justice on Wednesday to announce the boycott as part of the group's opposition to the proposed merger between Monsanto Corporation and the Delta and Pine Land Company, the largest cottonseed company in the country.
"If the Department of Justice allows this merger goes through, it will create a Godzillian-monopoly that will have a drastic effect on black and other small farmers around the country," said Boyd, whose organization joins the growing chorus of agriculture and consumer groups, legal experts and politicians who have registered their opposition.
The Department of Justice is now conducting a review to determine whether the acquisition violates antitrust rules. Legal experts expect the department to issue its decision this month.
Boyd has petitioned the House Judiciary Committee to hold hearings on the matter and has indicated the NBFA is prepared to file suit to seek an injunction against the merger.
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Black Farmers Call for Boycott of Monsanto Products
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USAgNet, May 12, 2007
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