Report on the Reintroduction of the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act

Introduction: Legislative Initiative to Secure National Agriculture and Advance Sustainable Development

A legislative proposal, the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act, has been reintroduced to address national security concerns related to foreign ownership of agricultural assets. This initiative is fundamentally aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning food security, economic stability, and the protection of critical resources. The primary aim of the Act is to prevent foreign adversaries from controlling the domestic agricultural supply chain, thereby safeguarding national food security, a core component of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

Core Objectives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The PASS Act is structured to achieve specific security and economic objectives that directly support a sustainable and resilient future. Its provisions are designed to strengthen national oversight and protect vital infrastructure, reflecting a comprehensive approach to sustainable development.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

The legislation places significant emphasis on ensuring a stable and secure domestic food supply. By preventing foreign adversaries from acquiring control over U.S. agricultural land and businesses, the Act directly supports the targets of SDG 2, which include ending hunger and ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food for all people.

• Protecting Food Production Systems: The Act aims to maintain resilient agricultural practices and protect the genetic diversity of seeds and plants by keeping these critical assets under domestic stewardship.
• Ensuring Food Supply Chain Integrity: By designating the agricultural supply chain as critical infrastructure, the legislation works to prevent disruptions that could compromise food availability and access.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The Act contributes to SDG 8 by protecting the domestic agricultural sector, which is a significant source of employment and economic activity. Safeguarding local farms and agricultural companies from foreign acquisition ensures that economic benefits are retained domestically, supporting sustained and inclusive economic growth.

• Supporting Local Economies: The legislation helps preserve the viability of local farming communities and related industries.
• Promoting Economic Resilience: By mitigating risks associated with foreign control, the Act fosters a more stable and predictable economic environment for the agricultural sector.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Ensuring that agricultural land and resources are managed in the national interest is a key tenet of SDG 12. The PASS Act promotes the sustainable management of natural resources by preventing their acquisition by entities that may not adhere to domestic environmental and production standards or whose primary interests may conflict with long-term sustainability goals.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

A central component of the Act is the strengthening of national institutions responsible for monitoring foreign investment. This aligns with SDG 16, which calls for effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

1. Institutional Reform: The Act proposes including the Secretary of Agriculture as a permanent member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), ensuring that agricultural expertise is central to reviews of transactions involving the food and agriculture sectors.
2. Enhanced Oversight and Reporting: It mandates regular reporting on the risks of foreign investment in the agricultural sector, promoting transparency and accountability in governance.

Conclusion: A Strategic Framework for Sustainable and Secure Agriculture

The reintroduction of the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act represents a strategic effort to address modern security challenges while simultaneously reinforcing key principles of the Sustainable Development Goals. By protecting the national food supply, supporting domestic economies, and strengthening institutional oversight, the legislation provides a framework for ensuring that the agricultural sector remains secure, resilient, and sustainable for future generations.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article on the “Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act” primarily addresses issues related to food security, national security, and institutional governance. Based on this, the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are relevant:

   • SDG 2: Zero Hunger: This is the most directly related SDG. The article’s central theme is the protection of the “nation’s food supply” and ensuring “food security.” The legislation aims to safeguard agricultural land and companies, which are the foundation for ending hunger and ensuring a stable food source.
   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article discusses the introduction of a legislative act and the reform of a governmental body (the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States – CFIUS). This directly connects to building effective, accountable, and strong institutions to protect national interests and enforce laws for sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   The article’s content points to several specific targets under the identified SDGs:

   • Under SDG 2 (Zero Hunger):
     • Target 2.1: “By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.” The article’s core argument that “Food security is national security” and the act’s goal to prevent “foreign adversaries to control our nation’s food supply” directly support the objective of ensuring a stable and accessible food supply for the country’s population.
     • Target 2.4: “By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices…” The act’s focus on protecting “American agricultural land” from foreign acquisition is a measure to maintain the resilience and sustainability of the national food production system, ensuring it is not compromised by external adversarial interests.
   • Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
     • Target 16.6: “Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.” The PASS Act proposes a specific institutional reform: “Adding the Secretary of Agriculture as a permanent member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).” This is a direct attempt to make the institution more effective by ensuring agricultural expertise is included in decisions regarding foreign investment.
     • Target 16.b: “Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.” The PASS Act itself is a proposed policy aimed at sustainable development by protecting a critical national resource (agricultural land and food supply) through legal and institutional means.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article does not mention official SDG indicators, but it implies several metrics that could be used to measure progress:

   • For SDG 2 Targets:
     • An implied indicator is the amount and percentage of U.S. agricultural land and companies owned by prohibited foreign countries (specifically China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea). The success of the PASS Act would be measured by a reduction or prevention of such ownership.
     • Another implied, broader indicator is the stability and security of the national food supply chain, which the act aims to protect from foreign disruption.
   • For SDG 16 Targets:
     • A direct indicator for Target 16.6 is the formal inclusion of the Secretary of Agriculture as a member of CFIUS. This is a specific, measurable institutional change proposed in the legislation.
     • Progress can also be measured by the enactment of the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act into law, which represents the successful implementation of the proposed policy.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Implied from the Article)
   SDG 2: Zero Hunger	2.1: Ensure access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food. 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and resilient agricultural practices.	– Percentage of agricultural land and companies owned by prohibited foreign adversaries. – Stability and security of the national food supply chain.
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions. 16.b: Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.	– Formal inclusion of the Secretary of Agriculture as a permanent member of CFIUS. – Enactment of the “Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act” into law.

Source: stefanik.house.gov