Foreign ownership of U.S. farmland probed at U.S. Senate hearing ⋆ Michigan Advance
Foreign ownership of U.S. farmland probed at U.S. Senate hearing ⋆ Michigan Advance Michigan Advance
sdgtalks
Foreign Ownership of U.S. Farmland Poses National Security Threat, Senators Say
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry held a hearing on Wednesday to discuss the national security implications of foreign ownership of U.S. farmland. Senators emphasized the importance of addressing this issue to ensure food security and protect American soil from foreign adversaries.
Foreign Ownership of U.S. Farmland
In 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that foreign investors held approximately 40 million acres of U.S. agricultural land, which accounts for about 3% of the total amount. Canada was identified as the largest foreign investor, followed by the Netherlands, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Germany. China’s holdings were relatively small, comprising less than 1% of foreign-held land in the U.S.
Since 2010, foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land has increased by 66%, raising concerns about the potential national security risks associated with these acquisitions.
State Restrictions on Foreign Ownership
While there are currently no federal restrictions on foreign ownership of U.S. farmland, 24 states have implemented their own regulations to limit or prohibit such ownership. In 2023, 11 states enacted laws to restrict foreign ownership, joining the other states that already had existing restrictions in place.
Efforts to Improve Farmland Security
Several senators spoke about their efforts to enhance farmland security and protect against foreign investors. In July, the Senate passed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, which would ban China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran from purchasing U.S. farmland and agricultural businesses. Senators highlighted examples of Chinese companies attempting to acquire land near military bases as evidence of the national security threat posed by foreign ownership.
Data Gaps and Reporting Systems
Experts raised concerns about the lack of clear evidence linking foreign ownership to rising farmland prices. However, they emphasized the need for updated reporting systems and improved auditing at both the state and federal levels to assess the extent of the risks associated with foreign ownership. Last year, Congress passed the Farmland Security Act of 2022, which requires the USDA to modernize its reporting system and provide a comprehensive analysis of the impacts of foreign ownership on family farms, rural communities, and the domestic food supply.
Lack of Progress on the Farm Bill
Sens. Baldwin and Grassley are working together to pass the Farmland Security Act of 2023, which aims to further address foreign activity in the domestic agriculture marketplace. They urged the committee to include this legislation in the next farm bill. However, there has been limited progress on the farm bill, which is set to expire soon.
Possible Consequences
Implementing restrictions on foreign ownership could potentially lead to trade retaliation by other countries, affecting trade relations and export markets for American farmers. Experts highlighted the importance of considering potential trade impacts when addressing this issue.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
- SDG 2: Zero Hunger
- 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.
- SDG 15: Life on Land
- Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
Detailed Analysis:
The article discusses the issue of foreign ownership of U.S. farmland and its potential impact on national security. Based on the content of the article, the following SDGs, targets, and indicators can be identified:
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
This SDG is relevant because foreign ownership of U.S. farmland can impact food security and agricultural practices.
- 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.
The target is relevant because foreign ownership of U.S. farmland can affect agricultural practices and land quality.
SDG 15: Life on Land
This SDG is relevant because foreign ownership of U.S. farmland can impact land degradation and desertification.
- Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
The target is relevant because foreign ownership of U.S. farmland can contribute to land degradation and the need for restoration.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
This SDG is relevant because foreign ownership of U.S. farmland can have implications for national security and the rule of law.
- Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
The target is relevant because the issue of foreign ownership of U.S. farmland raises questions about the rule of law and equal access to justice.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | 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. | Foreign ownership of U.S. farmland can impact food security and agricultural practices. |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world. | Foreign ownership of U.S. farmland can impact land degradation and desertification. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. | The issue of foreign ownership of U.S. farmland raises questions about the rule of law and equal access to justice. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: michiganadvance.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
