Lawmakers push to protect agriculture from foreign control
Lawmakers have renewed efforts to protect America’s agricultural assets through the reintroduction of the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act. This legislation is designed to prevent foreign adversaries from purchasing or controlling U.S. farmland and agricultural businesses, addressing growing national security and food security concerns.
The bill, led by Chairwoman Elise Stefanik of New York and Congressman Rick Crawford of Arkansas, places responsibility on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to review and regulate foreign acquisitions involving U.S. agricultural assets. It specifically targets countries considered foreign adversaries — including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea — prohibiting them from owning or operating farmland and ag-related enterprises across the nation.
Supporters of the PASS Act emphasize that safeguarding farmland from foreign control is vital for maintaining independence over the nation’s food production and security systems. “Food security is national security, and I am proud to reintroduce this legislation that will stand up against our foreign adversaries as they attempt to assert control over our agriculture industry,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “The United States cannot allow malign ownership bids of American assets by Communist China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea to undermine the efforts of our farmers, whose hard work feeds and fuels our communities. We cannot allow our adversaries to control land near our military installations and we cannot cede any ownership of our food supply to those who are actively working against our security interests.”
“U.S. agriculture is a critical industry with real and significant impacts on our national security,” said Rep. Rick Crawford (AR-01). “The potential counterintelligence threat to our country from adversaries owning U.S. farmland or agricultural companies is immeasurable. Americans would never be allowed to purchase farmland in China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea, so their citizens should not be permitted to do so here. I am proud to co-lead the PASS Act again this Congress, with my House Intelligence Committee colleague, Rep. Stefanik. This legislation takes the basic and essential step of preventing foreign adversaries from buying up U.S. farmland for nefarious purposes.”
Through enhanced USDA oversight and restrictions on foreign acquisitions, the PASS Act aims to ensure that America’s farmland remains under domestic control, protecting farmers, communities, and the nation’s long-term food security.
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