The National Farmers Union is asking President Donald Trump to oppose the merger between Dow and DuPont.
NFU wants the administration to block the deal because of concerns it would lead to reduced competition and less innovation, as well as less choice and higher prices for farm inputs.
NFU President Roger Johnson says: “If the Dow-DuPont and Bayer-Monsanto mergers were both approved, there would effectively be a duopoly in the corn and soybean seed markets.”
Farmers Union says the merger of Dow and DuPont, the fourth and fifth largest firms, would give the resulting company about 41 percent of the market for corn seeds and 38 percent of the market for soybean seeds.
The European Union approved the merger after Dow and DuPont agreed to sell off assets, including key research and development activities.
The deal is still to be approved by regulators in the United States, Brazil, China, Australia and Canada.
