Arkansas orders Chinese company’s subsidiary to divest itself of agricultural land
Arkansas orders Chinese company's subsidiary to divest itself of agricultural land The Associated Press
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Arkansas Orders Chinese-Owned Company to Divest Agricultural Land
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The state of Arkansas has issued an order for the subsidiary of a Chinese-owned company to divest itself of 160 acres (774,400 square yards) of agricultural land. This marks the first such action taken under a wave of new laws across the country that restrict foreign ownership of farmland.
Legislation and Divestment Deadline
Attorney General Tim Griffin announced that Northrup King Seed Co., a subsidiary of Syngenta Seeds, must divest the property in Craighead County within two years. The legislation was passed by the majority-Republican Legislature and signed by GOP Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders earlier this year.
Ownership and Disappointment
Syngenta, owned by China National Chemical Company (ChemChina), expressed disappointment with the state’s decision regarding its land. The company has owned the land since 1988 and stated that no one from China has ever instructed its executives to engage in land acquisition.
Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders emphasized the importance of ensuring that every company operating in Arkansas is aligned with the state’s interests and benefits hard-working Arkansans. This action is aimed at protecting Arkansas farmers and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations.
Concerns and New Laws
There has been growing concern in many states regarding foreign ownership of farmland. Prior to this year, 14 states had laws prohibiting or restricting foreign ownership and investments in private farmland. However, this number increased to 24 states this year as lawmakers in nearly three-quarters of states considered legislation on the topic, according to The National Agriculture Law Center at the University of Arkansas.
Enforcement Action and Targeted Investments
The enforcement action taken by Arkansas’ attorney general is the first under the wave of new laws, many of which specifically target investments from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. Micah Brown, a staff attorney at the agricultural law center, confirmed that historically, states with existing laws did not enforce them rigorously.
Legal Consequences and Fines
Under the Arkansas law, if a company fails to divest itself of the land, the state can take legal action. In addition to divestment, Syngenta has been fined $280,000 for not reporting its foreign ownership under a 2021 state law. The company has 30 days to pay the fine. Syngenta has updated its filing with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and provided a copy to the state.
Future Actions and Political Context
Attorney General Tim Griffin expressed confidence that Syngenta will comply with the divestment order and pay the fine. However, he did not disclose whether there are other foreign-owned lands that may prompt similar actions under the new law. The surge in state laws targeting land ownership by certain foreigners reflects a political flashpoint, driven by high-profile cases of Chinese-connected entities purchasing land near military bases in North Dakota and Texas, as well as the incident involving a suspected Chinese spy balloon crossing the U.S. in February.
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Associated Press Writer David Lieb in Jefferson City, Missouri contributed to this report.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality. | – No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements. | – No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.14: Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development. | – No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- SDG 15: Life on Land
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality.
- Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
- Target 17.14: Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article to measure progress towards the identified targets.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators:
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.14: Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
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Source: apnews.com
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