Rep. Dale Strong Warns of Agroterrorism Threats to US Agriculture

Threats to US Agriculture

• ⚠️ The US agriculture sector is a tempting target for agro-terrorism due to its critical role in the economy and national security.
• 💡 Malicious actors can use biological agents to disrupt the food supply chain, causing mass fear, instability, and economic damage.

Biological and Cyber Threats

• 🔬 The DOJ charged three Chinese nationals for attempting to smuggle hazardous biological material into the US, intended for research at the University of Michigan.
• 🔒 This incident highlights risks associated with modifying dangerous pathogens and security measures in research labs.
• 💻 As agriculture increasingly adopts automation and digital technologies, it becomes more vulnerable to cyber attacks that could jeopardize the entire supply chain.

Foreign Ownership and Legislative Action

• 📈 A GAO study confirms a steady increase in foreign ownership of US farmland over decades.
• 🏘️ There are growing concerns about groups affiliated with the PRC purchasing farmland near US military bases.
• 📜 Rep. Dale Strong sponsored the 'Protecting America's Agriculture Land from Foreign Harm Act 2025' to prohibit individuals tied to Iran, North Korea, China, or Russia from purchasing or leasing US agricultural land.

National Security Integration

• 🤝 The National Farm Security Action Plan aims to integrate agriculture security into national security by bringing together USDA, DHS, and other federal agencies.
• 🗣️ Experts are being consulted to advise Congress and the federal government on further measures to protect farmland and the food supply chain.