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Thune: Foreign Ownership of Farmland is a Matter of National Security

“Food security is a critical component of national security, and we need to make sure foreign countries do not hold an undue influence over our food supply.”

September 27, 2023

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a longtime member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today participated in a hearing to examine foreign ownership in U.S. agriculture. Thune discussed the importance of protecting South Dakota farmers and ranchers from foreign adversaries – like China, Russia, and Iran – that seek to purchase U.S. farmland and agriculture businesses, which threatens food security.

Thune’s opening remarks (as prepared for delivery):

“Thank you Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Boozman for holding today’s hearing on foreign ownership of U.S. agriculture.

“I also want to thank our witnesses for appearing before the committee and for your input on this important issue.

“Food security is a critical component of national security, and we need to make sure foreign countries do not hold an undue influence over our food supply.

“I’m pleased that this year’s Senate National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes Senator Rounds’ amendment to prohibit China, Iran, Russia, and North Korea from purchasing U.S. agricultural land and businesses, and I will continue to advocate for this provision’s inclusion in the final NDAA.

“We also need to take a close look at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s role in overseeing foreign ownership of U.S. agriculture, particularly as we keep working on the next farm bill.

“We must safeguard U.S. farmland and food security as a critical component of national security, and I look forward to working with members of this committee on this issue in the next farm bill.”