Senators Introduce the Farmland Security Act

Last week, Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin and Chuck Grassley of Iowa introduced the Farmland Security Act.  The two say they effort is designed to increase scrutiny over foreign investments into America’s agricultural land.  The legislation would make sure that Congress can address the impacts of foreign investments on family farms, rural communities, and the domestic food supply.

“This bipartisan legislation will provide the tools we need to protect the longevity of American family farm operations for generations to come,” Baldwin said.

Current reports show that foreign-owned agricultural acreage has nearly doubled in the past ten years.  One of the provisions in the act would require the Ag Secretary to report to Congress on foreign investments in agricultural land, including the impact foreign ownership has on family farms, rural communities, and the domestic food supply.

“Foreign buyers, especially those backed by governments like China, purchasing farmland in the U.S. raises serious national security concerns that the people need to know about,” Grassley added.

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