Foreigners acquired 3M acres of U.S. farmland in 2020, now owning 2% of the country’s total

Foreigners purchased a staggering 3.4 million acres of U.S. agricultural land in 2020, now owning or ‌leasing nearly two percent of the entire U.S. landmass, according to ‍recent⁣ federal data. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a report this ⁤month stating that “foreign ⁣persons held an interest in ⁤over 43.4 million acres of U.S. ⁣agricultural land as of December⁣ 31, 2022.” This represents a ​significant increase‍ of‍ 3.4 ​million acres from the previous year and accounts​ for‍ 3.4 percent of all privately held agricultural land and nearly 2 percent of all land in the United States.

Interest in U.S. farmland from foreign countries was once ⁣uncommon, but it has ⁣skyrocketed in ⁣recent years, largely​ due to foreign-controlled wind energy farms. The USDA‌ noted that “foreign holdings of U.S. agricultural land increased modestly from 2012 through 2017, but since 2017, foreign holdings‌ have been​ increasing at an average of nearly 2.9 million acres annually.” The countries with the‍ largest holdings⁢ include the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela,​ Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Syria, Pakistan, Cuba, and Russia.

This issue has sparked​ bipartisan outrage, especially⁢ after‌ Congress⁤ removed provisions aimed ‌at ⁣curbing foreign land purchases in a recent defense bill. ⁤Concerns ‍about national security have been raised, particularly when ⁢a Chinese food manufacturer acquired 300 acres near a crucial Air⁣ Force base in North Dakota. Efforts ‌have been‌ made to block China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from buying farmland, with the ‌Senate passing an ‌amendment to the defense funding act. However, the final text of the ⁢bill removed⁤ these provisions, causing further⁣ concern.

Allowing foreign countries, including ⁣adversaries like China, to acquire American farmland has raised serious concerns about national⁢ security and the interests of American farmers. With many⁢ farmers ​nearing retirement‌ age, there is a growing ⁢threat that this trend will worsen. The Senate Committee on Agriculture held a hearing on this⁣ issue, with ‍one senator stating that U.S. adversaries should not own any ⁢agricultural land in the country.

The majority of foreign-owned land is split between farmland and timber, with Maine having over one-fifth of its⁣ agricultural land owned by foreigners and Texas having the highest amount of foreign-held acreage. ‌Canadian investors own ​the largest portion of foreign-owned‌ land, followed by the Netherlands, Italy, and the United Kingdom. The report also​ mentioned⁢ that China⁣ holds a significant amount of land,​ primarily through ‍Chinese-owned companies.

The increase in⁣ foreign ownership of cropland is largely attributed to foreign-controlled ⁢wind and solar energy firms, which purchase​ large amounts of land for non-agricultural purposes, such as installing windmills. The‌ USDA ​reported that a quarter of foreign-tied agricultural acreage ⁣is controlled by companies with​ “wind” in their name, ⁤and there⁤ has ⁣been a significant spike in the ⁣use of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes, totaling nearly one million acres.

While some counties have enacted prohibitions on foreign ownership of cropland, enforcement has been‌ challenging due to vague laws. The issue of foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land remains⁤ a ⁣contentious ‍topic,​ with concerns about national ‍security, the interests ‍of American farmers, and​ the preservation of a valuable national resource.

What are the ⁢national security‌ concerns associated with allowing foreign ⁣entities to control significant amounts⁣ of U.S. agricultural land

​Been made by lawmakers to pass legislation that would impose tighter restrictions on foreign land ownership, but these efforts have been met with challenges.

The ⁢increasing presence⁤ of‍ foreign ‍entities ‍in U.S. agricultural land raises‍ several⁤ concerns. One ⁢of the main concerns is⁣ the potential for⁢ these foreign investors to have control over the nation’s food production. With such a significant portion​ of agricultural ​land ⁤now owned or leased by foreigners, there is a fear that the United States could become dependent on other ​countries for ​its ⁣food‍ supply.

Additionally, there are worries about the ⁣impact of‍ foreign ownership on the environment and natural resources. Foreign entities may not have the‍ same level of commitment to sustainable ⁢farming practices or ‌conservation⁣ efforts as domestic‌ owners. This could⁢ lead to​ the depletion of soil quality, water resources, and the‌ loss‍ of biodiversity.

Furthermore,⁢ the issue ​of⁢ foreign‍ ownership of agricultural ⁢land ​has significant ‍national security‌ implications. ⁤Critics argue that allowing foreign entities, especially those ‍from potentially adversarial countries, to ⁣control large amounts of U.S. land could compromise the country’s security and sovereignty. The concern is that these entities⁣ could use their control over agricultural land to exert influence over the food system or disrupt the‌ nation’s food supply in times of crisis.

The​ current lack of regulations surrounding foreign⁢ land ​ownership highlights the need⁣ for‌ stronger legislation to⁣ address ​this ​issue. Efforts have been ​made in ​the past to limit foreign ownership of⁣ agricultural land, ‍but ⁣they have ​faced opposition from those who argue that restricting foreign investment⁣ could ‌stifle economic growth and discourage foreign trade.

However, it is important to find a balance between⁢ economic interests and⁤ national security concerns. Implementing measures ‍that prioritize national ⁢security without impeding economic growth should be a priority. This⁢ could include stricter ⁣regulations on foreign land ownership, enhanced vetting ⁢processes for foreign investors, and greater transparency ⁣in land transactions.

In conclusion, ⁢the increasing trend of foreign entities purchasing U.S. agricultural land raises significant concerns ⁤regarding⁣ food security, environmental impact, and national security. While efforts have been made to⁢ address this issue, further action is needed to ensure that foreign land ​ownership⁤ is managed in a way that safeguards the interests of the United States. Striking a balance between economic growth and national security is crucial in ⁤finding a viable solution ⁣to ‌this complex issue.

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