Government watchdogs are raising concerns about the Biden administration's failure to adequately track foreign ownership of U.S. farmland. According to a recent report, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is unable to provide accurate information to Congress and the public regarding the extent of foreign ownership and the locations of agricultural land owned by foreign entities.
The most recent USDA report from 2021 reveals that Chinese entities own nearly 400,000 acres of farmland across 28 states. This has raised alarm bells among experts, including Virginia farmer and National Black Farmers Association President John Boyd Jr., who considers this issue as one of utmost urgency for our nation's food supply.
The inability to effectively track foreign ownership is a pressing concern, as it hampers efforts to safeguard American agricultural interests. The question arises as to why the government is facing difficulties in monitoring foreign land ownership. Some speculate that foreign entities may be using shell companies to obfuscate their ownership, making it harder to trace and regulate their activities.
Boyd emphasizes that this problem starts at the top, with the President failing to prioritize the threat posed by China. He points to the disparity between the ability of Chinese entities to buy American farmland while Americans are prohibited from purchasing land in China. This practice puts American farmers at a disadvantage and jeopardizes the agricultural industry.
Moreover, Boyd raises the issue of China's alleged theft of seed technology from American farmers, which has severe implications for the agricultural sector's future. Not only is China buying up American farmland, but they are also compromising American intellectual property, harming the country's agricultural competitiveness.
The concerns extend beyond purely economic issues. There are also national security implications with Chinese entities acquiring land near military bases. This raises questions about the potential risks and the need for stricter regulations to protect critical infrastructure.
Boyd suggests implementing a farm moratorium to prevent sales and auctions that allow China to drive up land prices. He asserts that if the USDA and the current administration had prioritized this issue, they could have proposed legislation to halt China's acquisition of American farmland.
While the Chinese ownership of farmland is not limited to a particular type of agricultural practice, Boyd mentions that China remains the top purchaser of soybeans from the United States. This poses a significant concern for American soybean farmers, who face the dual challenge of competition from Chinese entities and the theft of their technology.
The consequences of failing to address these issues are far-reaching. American farmers, who already face numerous challenges, including fluctuating commodity prices and unpredictable weather patterns, are now in danger of being priced out of the market by foreign buyers.
Considering the significant impact on American agriculture and food security, it is crucial for Washington to pay attention to these concerns and take decisive action to protect the interests of American farmers and ensure the long-term viability of the agricultural industry.
