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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri lawmakers want to limit how much agriculture land is foreign owned, and the legislation approved this week would pump the breaks entirely on any foreign entity acquiring more farmland.
About .3% of the state’s farmland is currently foreign owned, but a bill moving forward in Jefferson City would not only reduce the amount of agriculture land that can be owned by a foreign entity, but it would prohibit any future sale, which some say is unfair to landowners.
“We’re going to as a state, decide what private businesses can be sold to what entity,” Sen. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield, said. “That’s how I see this.”
Months after a Chinese spy balloon traversed Missouri, lawmakers want to put an end to selling off farmland to those overseas.
“Yes, this is a property rights issue because we are protecting Missouri’s property, we’re protecting this nation’s property,” Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, said.
Last month, the House passed its own version of limiting how much land is owned by a foreign entity in the state. The House’s version also prohibited five countries, China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and Venezuela from buying anymore land. That provision was stripped out of the Senate’s version.
“With those definitions on restricted countries, there’s already a template in place at the federal government, but we want to make sure here in the State of Missouri, we have control of that as well,” Rep. Mike Haffner, R-Pleasant Hill, said.
Haffner sponsored the legislation in the House. After the Senate’s changes, he said the General Assembly will continue to talk through it and let the legislative process play out.
Brattin is heading the legislation in the Senate, where members agreed to restrict any foreign entity from acquiring farmland moving forward.
“There is nothing that prohibits an individual from selling their land but yes, we’re going to put prohibitions of who in the world we’re going to sell too,” Brattin said. “Are we going to sell to Osama bin Laden? To other foreign adversaries that wish to destroy our nation?”
According to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, countries with the biggest ownership of land in Missouri include China with more than 42,000 acres, New Zealand with 16,000 and Spain with 13,000. Nearly all of China’s land goes to Murphy Brown of Missouri, LLC., formerly Smithfield Foods, a major hog production company.
Overall, the legislation is bipartisan, but sponsored by Republicans, the same political party that, 10 years ago, overrode Gov. Jay Nixon’s veto to allow foreign ownership of farmland. This allowed 1% of the state’s farmland to be owned by foreign firms. Soon thereafter, a Chinese company purchased Smithfield Foods.
The legislation would also require countries to report and land acquisitions or transfers with the Missouri secretary of state’s office and the attorney general.
“Food insecurity is a real thing and I think starting with making sure that Missouri famers get first priority on our land is definitely what we should be talking about,” House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, said Thursday.
Hough, a first-generation cattleman in southwest Missouri, was among two other Republicans who voted again the bill, saying it takes away personal property rights.
“The way I see it now, a foreign entity that wants to come in and buy farmland in this state has to go private property owners and say will you sell your property to me,” Hough said. “What we are doing here is saying we’re going to take that decision away.”
Under House Bill 903, land already owned by a foreign entity would be grandfathered in. Current state law says only 1% of the state’s land can be owned by a foreign firm, but this legislation would reduce that down to 0.5%.
During debate in the Senate, members also successfully added an emergency clause, which means the legislation would go into effect as soon as the governor signs it.
The bill now heads back to the House, where members can either accept the Senate’s changes or call for a conference to find a compromise.
The legislation regarding foreign ownership of agricultural land in Missouri addresses crucial concerns about land control and national security. As an enthusiast in geopolitics and agricultural policy, this issue delves into both economic and security aspects.
The article revolves around Missouri lawmakers' efforts to restrict and monitor foreign entities from owning farmland. This legislative move intends to curb the acquisition of agricultural land by foreign countries, especially those considered potential adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela.
The primary points in the article include:
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Land Ownership Restrictions: The proposed bill aims to limit the amount of agricultural land that can be owned by foreign entities in Missouri. There's a push to significantly reduce the percentage of land available for foreign ownership from the current 1% to 0.5%.
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Ban on Future Sales: The legislation not only aims to reduce the percentage of land but also proposes a ban on any future sale of agricultural land to foreign entities. This measure is causing debate, with some arguing it infringes upon property rights.
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National Security Concerns: Lawmakers have expressed concerns about national security, citing instances like a Chinese spy balloon traversing Missouri and emphasizing the need to protect the nation's property from potential adversaries.
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Bipartisan Support: Although the bill is sponsored by Republicans, it garners bipartisan support. However, some dissenting voices, including a few Republicans, argue against the bill, claiming it encroaches upon personal property rights.
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Reporting Requirements: The proposed legislation mandates foreign countries to report any land acquisitions or transfers to the Missouri secretary of state's office and the attorney general. This measure aims for greater transparency and oversight.
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Emergency Clause: An emergency clause was added during Senate debate, signifying that the legislation would go into immediate effect upon the governor's approval, bypassing the usual waiting period.
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Grandfather Clause: Existing land holdings by foreign entities would be grandfathered in, exempt from the newly proposed ownership limitations.
The broader context here involves balancing economic interests, property rights, and national security concerns. It's a complex issue where lawmakers are attempting to navigate the delicate balance between encouraging investment and protecting vital agricultural resources.
Feel free to ask if you seek more specifics or additional insights into this topic!
