The Biden administration has come under fire from a federal watchdog for its failure to monitor foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land, a critical source of food for the country's populace.
The report suggests that the administration lacks a strategy to oversee these developments, which are of national security importance.
Fox News has reported that a document compiled by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reveals that the Department of Agriculture has not been providing timely information about foreign land purchases. This is a requirement under the 1978 Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA).
The GAO stated, "Sharing current data could help increase visibility into potential national security risks related to foreign investments in U.S. agricultural land." It further criticized the USDA's processes to collect, track, and report key information as flawed. Some data are still collected on paper forms, with no plans for a comprehensive database.
The most recent data available are from 2021, according to the report.
Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., the head of the Congressional Western Caucus, expressed his concern, stating, "This report confirms one of our worst fears: that not only is the USDA unable to answer the question of who owns what land and where, but that there is no plan by the department to internally reverse this dangerous flaw that affects our supply chain and economy."
Newhouse further emphasized the link between food security and national security, warning against allowing foreign adversaries to influence the U.S. food supply.
The recent acquisition of American land by foreign corporations has sparked concern among Republicans. They fear that an enemy could establish a stranglehold on American food and energy resources. Congressional members have specifically expressed alarm at China's purchases, some of which have been in proximity to military installations.
The Biden administration's apparent lack of a plan to monitor foreign ownership of U.S. farmland is a significant concern, given the potential national security implications. The need for transparency and timely information sharing is paramount to ensure the protection of the country's food supply and economy.
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