Foreign adversaries blacklisted from buying U.S. farmland, ag companies under Rounds’ bill

U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) on Jan. 31 sponsored bipartisan, bicameral legislation to prevent foreign entities from acquiring U.S. farmland and to ensure American farmers have a seat at the table when the federal government makes decisions impacting national security.

“Protecting American farmland is critical to maintaining our national security,” Sen. Rounds said. “This legislation makes certain American interests are protected by blacklisting foreign adversaries from purchasing land or businesses involved in agriculture.”

Specifically, the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act of 2023, S. 168, would blacklist China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from investing in, purchasing or otherwise acquiring land or businesses involved in agriculture.

“In my travels around South Dakota, I have heard from many farmers and ranchers who are concerned about foreign adversaries owning American farmland,” said Sen. Rounds, who introduced S. 168 with five original cosponsors, including U.S. Sens. John Hoeven (R-ND), John Thune (R-SD), and Jon Tester (D-MT). 

“As a third-generation Montana farmer, I’m not going to sit back and let our foreign adversaries weaken our national security by buying up American farmland,” Sen. Tester said. “That’s why I’m proud to be joining my friend Sen. Rounds on this bipartisan effort.”

If enacted, S. 168 also would add the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture as a standing member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to consider agriculture needs when making determinations affecting national security, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Rounds’ staff.

Additionally, the measure would require the president to submit a report to Congress on any waiver granted to a prohibited country and require reporting from the Agriculture Secretary on the risk of foreign purchases of agricultural companies to the American agriculture sector, the summary says.

The same-named companion bill, H.R. 683, was also introduced on Jan. 31 by bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and 19 original cosponsors, including U.S. Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), David Valadao (R-CA), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Tom Cole (R-OK), Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), and Jim Costa (D-CA) in their chamber.

The measure is supported by the South Dakota Farmers Union and the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association.