Risch, Crapo Roll Out Securing American Ag Act

Idaho senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo joined Nebraska’s Pete Ricketts Thursday in introducing the Securing American Agriculture Act. They say the bill would secure critical agricultural supply chains and reduce America’s reliance on foreign adversaries like China.

“Allowing Communist China to seize control of America’s food supply chain would jeopardize our economy, national security, and the livelihoods of Idaho’s farmers and ranchers,” said Risch. “The Securing American Agriculture Act is a critical safeguard against foreign adversaries threatening Idaho’s agriculture industry.”

“It is in our best interest to take every step toward mitigating potential threats from the CCP,” Crapo noted. “Minimizing dependence on foreign adversaries and looking to domestic solutions aids in stronger national security and a stronger American agriculture supply.”

“Communist China’s strategic control over crucial sectors of our food and agricultural supply chains poses a serious national security threat,” Ricketts said. “Losing access to key inputs could reduce productivity, increase food prices, and undermine food security. My bill will bolster and protect these supply chains and reduce our reliance on foreign adversaries.”

The Securing American Agriculture Act would:

Require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct an annual threat assessment of critical food and agricultural supply chains, current domestic production capacity for critical inputs, and current and potential bottlenecks in the food and agriculture supply chain
Require the Secretary of Agriculture to provide recommendations to mitigate potential threats from Communist China and for legislative and regulatory actions to reduce barriers to domestic critical input production

Other senators supporting the Act include: