Rep. Riley Joins Bipartisan Bill Protecting Upstate Farmland From Foreign Buyers

New York Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) says he has signed on to The Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act. The bill, which has support from both Democrats and Republicans, would protect farmland in Upstate New York from foreign “land grabs” by US adversaries like China.

“I’m sponsoring this bipartisan legislation because we need to stop the CCP from buying American farmland and preying on Upstate New York’s family farms,” said Riley. “Our bill will strengthen national security and preserve Upstate’s critical role in feeding America.”

According to data by the USDA, foreign investors now hold interests in over 40 million acres of farmland throughout the country. The level of ownership has raised concerns about potential national security vulnerabilities, Riley said in a release, especially if the holdings are located near military installations.

The Bill looks to address the security concerns by adding the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US. Riley says the move may prevent bad actors such as ChemChina-owned subsidiary Syngenta. The move would prevent them and others from purchasing thousands of acres of farmland in the country.