Missouri Farm Bureau Targets DBS Merger

The American Farm Bureau may have endorsed the pending merger between EchoStar and DirecTV, but at least one Farm Bureau on the state level is asking federal officials to take a close look at the proposed transaction.

The Missouri Farm Bureau, the state's largest farm and agricultural organization, sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft asking the Justice Department to "analyze very carefully the impacts, both short and longer term, of the proposed acquisition on the availability of pricing of communications services in rural areas."

The organization added, "It is our opinion that EchoStar and DirecTV should bear the burden of proof in convincing regulators that the proposed sale will provide the touted benefits and not simply create a monopolistic behemoth that ignores the needs of rural America - if such does not occur, this deal should not be approved."

Last week, the American Farm Bureau and its president, Bob Stallman, said the proposed merger is good for rural America. "It will help revitalize rural communities and small businesses and improve the quality of life for American farm and ranch families," Stallman said in a letter sent to Congress.

From <a href="http://www.skyreport.com" target=none>SkyReport</a> (Used with permission)

hmmmmm......intresting......im just suprised they would have that much of an interest in this merger, although, I'm not to familiar about what this organization is all about.

John, they are interested because it will affect rural people who don't have the option of cable for TV.

Even though it's called Farm Bureau, many members are only members to buy insurance from Rural Insurance. Since those members live in rural areas I guess that's the reason they have an opinion on the merger.