WASHINGTON, D.C. – Republican Leader of the House Committee on Agriculture, Glenn “GT” Thompson, and Republican Leader of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, James Comer, were joined by 128 of their Conference colleagues sent a letter last weekend to comptroller general Gene Dodaro of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). The letter requests a study regarding foreign investment in U.S. farmland and its impact on national security, trade and food security.
“Foreign ownership and investment in U.S. agricultural land has nearly doubled in the past decade. This growing trend has elevated concerns regarding national security in a time of uncertainty that is already compounded by challenges to our supply chain infrastructure, high input costs for farmers and geopolitical pressures,” said Rep. Thompson. “It is critical for Congress to have a thorough understanding of foreign investment in our nation’s agricultural land.”
“China’s ownership of U.S. farmland is a threat to our food security and national security. An affordable, reliable food supply is critical to our nation’s well-being and prosperity and we must ensure America maintains control of our nation’s resources,” said Rep. Comer. “We are calling on the Government Accountability Office to report on the scope of this threat to our food supply to inform Congress how we can best protect the security of the American people. Americans need transparency about the federal government’s efforts to address this growing problem.”
Click here to read the letter.