This week, the House Committee on Agriculture is set to host a crucial hearing titled “The Danger China Poses to American Agriculture.” This session aims to delve into the increasing threat posed by China to the U.S. agriculture industry, which has raised alarms over the foreign ownership of American farmland, the theft of intellectual property such as patented seeds, and the hacking of U.S. cyber infrastructure.
Chairman Glenn Thompson (R-PA) said, “It’s no secret that China poses significant threats to our way of life, and agriculture is no exception.” In addition to purchasing farmland for nefarious purposes, he accused the Chinese Communist Party of stealing American intellectual property and hacking the U.S. cyber infrastructure. He said the committee will explore every legislative route available — including the massive annual farm bill — to counteract these activities and bolster the nation’s food and national security.
House hearing scheduled to investigate China’s threat to U.S. agriculture industryhttps://t.co/tIFTOJPN1H pic.twitter.com/5sWbBUUbXB
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) March 18, 2024
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) has recently implemented strict restrictions on foreign ownership of farmland in her state. She will be a featured witness at the hearing.
The hearing will also include testimony from Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), Chairman of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, and ranking committee member Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL).
Recent findings by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) have intensified these concerns, revealing a sharp increase in foreign investment in U.S. agricultural land, with foreign entities owning around 40 million acres. In light of these findings, the USDA has proposed creating a real-time data system to better track foreign investments in American farmland.
The upcoming hearing is a crucial step in addressing China’s multifaceted threat to the American agricultural sector. The increasing control of U.S. farmland by foreign entities, especially China, threatens our national security and food sovereignty. Gov. Noem’s actions in South Dakota represent a proactive approach to this issue, serving as a model that other states might follow to safeguard their agricultural interests.
Through the efforts of the USDA and Congress, the federal government must ensure that policies and mechanisms are in place to monitor and mitigate foreign influence in critical sectors like agriculture. The proposed real-time data system could be a step in the right direction, but it requires commitment and collaboration across governmental agencies and sectors.
