GOP, Dem senators team up with bill to protect US farmland from foreign ownership
GOP, Dem senators team up with bill to protect US farmland from foreign ownership Fox News
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FIRST ON FOX:
Two Midwestern senators from both sides of the aisle are teaming up to crack down on China and foreign countries that are buying up American farmland.
On Wednesday, Sens. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, introduced bipartisan legislation that calls for additional “transparency and oversight” of foreign ownership in America’s agricultural industry.
The Farmland Security Act of 2023
The Farmland Security Act of 2023 aims to “support transparency, collect complete and accurate data on foreign ownership, and better understand the scale and impact of foreign ownership.” The legislation will ensure all foreign investors who purchase American agricultural land will report their holdings, including “shell companies.” The legislation will thus strengthen penalties for those who evade filing.
Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This legislation aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the United Nations. These goals include:
- Goal 2: Zero Hunger – Ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food for all.
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment, and decent work for all.
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.
- Goal 15: Life on Land – Protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably managing forests, combating desertification, and halting biodiversity loss.
Proposals in the Bill
Proposals in the bill include:
- Imposing new financial penalties on foreign owners or “shell companies” who do not report or misreport their acreage.
- Requiring research into foreign ownership and foreign participation in U.S. agricultural economic activity.
- Pushing for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct an annual compliance audit to “ensure accuracy” while also providing annual training to state and county staff “on identifying non-reporting foreign-owned agricultural land.”
Impact on National Security and Rural Communities
“Our agricultural economy is the beating heart of Wisconsin’s rural communities. But when foreign investors own farmland and agricultural processing capacity, it can put our national security, domestic food supply, and local communities at risk,” Baldwin said in a statement.
“The Farmland Security Act of 2023 will give the American public and Congress a clearer picture of who owns America’s heartland, while also investing in critical research to better understand how foreign ownership is impacting our rural communities, family farms, and national security.”
Support and Importance of the Bill
The Farmland Security Act of 2023 is supported by Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation and Wisconsin Farmers Union. Julie Keown-Bomar, executive director of the Wisconsin Farmers Union, called the bill a “step in the right direction,” saying, “Knowing who is purchasing farmland is a form of national security.”
Continued Efforts and Future Implications
The 2023 legislation is an extension of the Farmland Security Act proposed by the senators last year. It was signed into law as part of the fiscal year 2023 omnibus appropriations bill, which requires the USDA to address national security concerns over foreign-owned farmland. This includes changes such as transitioning to digital filings on foreign ownership data to further prompt research into such ownership trends.
Conclusion
The Farmland Security Act of 2023 aims to increase transparency and oversight of foreign ownership in America’s agricultural industry. By collecting accurate data on foreign ownership and understanding its impact, this legislation supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while protecting national security, domestic food supply, and rural communities.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| 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. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions | Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. | 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 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 2, which aims to achieve zero hunger, by addressing the impact of foreign ownership of American farmland on domestic food supply and family farms. It is also connected to SDG 15, which focuses on life on land, by addressing the need to combat desertification and restore degraded land affected by foreign ownership. Additionally, it is connected to SDG 16, which focuses on peace, justice, and strong institutions, by aiming to develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions to oversee foreign ownership in the agricultural industry.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets, and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
- 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.
- Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are Target 2.3 under SDG 2, which focuses on doubling agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers through secure access to land and other resources. Target 15.3 under SDG 15 is also relevant as it aims to combat desertification and restore degraded land affected by foreign ownership. Lastly, Target 16.6 under SDG 16 is relevant as it emphasizes the need for effective and transparent institutions to oversee foreign ownership in the agricultural industry.
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 that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
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: foxnews.com
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