A broad coalition of over 200 farm, food, faith and consumer advocacy groups sent a letter to Congress endorsing legislation introduced in both chambers calling for a moratorium on agribusiness mergers. National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson says competition has shrunk in the ag industry in the United States and in several cases has gone away completely.

He says not only is a moratorium on the mergers needed but also a study looking at the lack of competition in the marketplace which has increased costs and lessened income for farmers.

Johnson says what must happen is increased and better anti trust enforcement.

Johnson says swift passage of these measures in the Senate and House must occur quickly to prevent the increasing level of consolidation in the ag industry.