Stefanik bill prevents foreign adversaries from targeting US agriculture industry amid global food shortage

EXCLUSIVE: House Republicans led by Rep. Elise Stefanik are turning attention to the power that enemies of the U.S. have to exploit vulnerabilities in the agriculture industry by introducing new legislation to prevent adversaries’ acquisition of American companies amid a global supply chain food shortage.

Stefanik, who serves as the House Republican Conference chair, was joined by Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., in introducing the bill Thursday.

“Food security is national security, and I am proud to stand up against our foreign adversaries as they attempt to exploit any potential vulnerability and assert control over our agriculture industry,” Stefanik told Fox News Digital. 

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“The United States cannot allow malign ownership bids of American assets by China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea to undermine the efforts of our farmers, whose hard work feeds and fuels our communities. Especially as we witness the devastating impact of a supply chain crisis, the United States cannot cede any ownership of our food supply to those who do not share our security interests,” Stefanik continued.

The bill specifically would keep China, Russia, Iran and North Korea from being able to buy American agriculture companies, citing the countries as “prohibited.” It also lists biotechnology and agriculture as critical infrastructure.

In addition, the proposed legislation includes a provision that would make the Secretary of Agriculture a member of the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment and would require reporting from the secretary on the risk of “foreign purchases” of companies in the agriculture sector.

“Adversarial nations, like China, continue to threaten our homeland, using tactics like buying American agriculture companies and stealing agriculture research to undermine our economy. Washington must realize that agriculture security in national security, and we have a duty to protect our food supply and those who produce it. I’m proud to work with Rep. Stefanik to draw attention to this critical threat and seek to defend American agriculture,” Crawford…