National Farmers Union.

Reuters has reported that the National Farmers Union (NFU) is urging the Department of Justice to investigate the proposed $1.5 billion merger of Suiza Foods and Dean Foods, saying it could hurt farmers and consumers. "It makes it more difficult for farmers to bargain for a fair price. It makes it more difficult for consumers to buy milk at a fair price," NFU President Leland Swenson said. In a letter to Attorney General John Ashcroft "on behalf of the NFU's 300,000 family farm and rancher members," Swenson said the Justice Department should investigate the antitrust and market implications of the proposed merger, and the relationship between the two companies and their subsidiaries, joint ventures and strategic alliances.