The Rising Tide of Legislation Against Foreign Control of U.S. Farmland
A wave of legislation restricting foreign ownership of land, particularly in farmland, is spreading across the United States.
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Several southern states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, North Carolina, and South Carolina, have proposed or passed new restrictions this year.
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Concerns about national security and food security are often cited as primary reasons.
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Federal laws are also being considered to enhance oversight of foreign ownership.
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The focus is on limiting ownership by China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, although the largest foreign landholders in the U.S. are from Canada, the Netherlands, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
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Chinese-owned farmland has increased, but a significant portion is due to the acquisition of Smithfield Foods in 2013.
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Controversial Chinese land purchases have received attention and reactions from politicians nationwide.
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Foreign ownership of farmland has been a concern throughout U.S. history, with restrictions dating back to the nation's founding and subsequent flashpoints.