Several Oklahoma lawmakers are concerned about what they call a national security threat.These lawmakers said Chinese and other foreign companies are buying up land in the state and around the country.Rep. Frank Lucas is joining a group of lawmakers calling on the federal government to release more information on purchases, asking the USDA to disclose foreign purchases of U.S. farmland.Even though the information is limited, Lucas said there has been a dramatic increase in land being purchased by foreign entities.“This is an important issue. What goes on in the countryside is the economic viability of the state as a whole. We all need to pay attention to this,” Lucas said.According to Lucas, Oklahoma’s agriculture and farm industry and in turn, the national food supply chain is at risk.The congressman said Chinese ownership of U.S. agricultural land ownership has increased from 13,730 in 2010 to 352,140 in 2020.“In Oklahoma, we are the number two site for foreign purchases of agricultural land since 2019,” Lucas said.Lucas and other elected officials said this gives away control of our national food supply to foreign entities. These entities might not align ideologically with America’s.“It could potentially mean that the production of livestock, grain, and fiber, which is so important here at home, might be controlled by somebody in China, or Brazil or somewhere else,” Lucas said.Lucas said Oklahoma’s medical marijuana industry is also attracting foreign buyers.“This is an issue that has been bubbling under the surface for a long time,” Lucas said.Stitt also raised the alarm. In a recent interview with Fox News, Stitt pointed out, “It’s already illegal in Oklahoma for foreign nationals to own ranch and farmland." SAYING, "What they are doing, because of the marijuana industry, they are coming in, using straw buying, and buying up land for illegal drug trafficking.”Lucas joined a list of Republican lawmakers who are asking the U.S. agriculture secretary to release more information on who is buying up America’s land, like how much and what type of land.“Just because we can’t see it from our front porch doesn’t mean it isn’t going to affect our lives and our children’s lives for years to come,” Lucas said.Lucas also wants the USDA secretary to be a member of the committee which oversees foreign investments in the U.S. He just introduced a bill that would make it a law.
OKLAHOMA CITY —
Several Oklahoma lawmakers are concerned about what they call a national security threat.
These lawmakers said Chinese and other foreign companies are buying up land in the state and around the country.
Advertisem*nt
Rep. Frank Lucas is joining a group of lawmakers calling on the federal government to release more information on purchases, asking the USDA to disclose foreign purchases of U.S. farmland.
Even though the information is limited, Lucas said there has been a dramatic increase in land being purchased by foreign entities.
“This is an important issue. What goes on in the countryside is the economic viability of the state as a whole. We all need to pay attention to this,” Lucas said.
According to Lucas, Oklahoma’s agriculture and farm industry and in turn, the national food supply chain is at risk.
The congressman said Chinese ownership of U.S. agricultural land ownership has increased from 13,730 in 2010 to 352,140 in 2020.
“In Oklahoma, we are the number two site for foreign purchases of agricultural land since 2019,” Lucas said.
Lucas and other elected officials said this gives away control of our national food supply to foreign entities. These entities might not align ideologically with America’s.
“It could potentially mean that the production of livestock, grain, and fiber, which is so important here at home, might be controlled by somebody in China, or Brazil or somewhere else,” Lucas said.
Lucas said Oklahoma’s medical marijuana industry is also attracting foreign buyers.
“This is an issue that has been bubbling under the surface for a long time,” Lucas said.
Stitt also raised the alarm. In a recent interview with Fox News, Stitt pointed out, “It’s already illegal in Oklahoma for foreign nationals to own ranch and farmland." SAYING, "What they are doing, because of the marijuana industry, they are coming in, using straw buying, and buying up land for illegal drug trafficking.”
Lucas joined a list of Republican lawmakers who are asking the U.S. agriculture secretary to release more information on who is buying up America’s land, like how much and what type of land.
“Just because we can’t see it from our front porch doesn’t mean it isn’t going to affect our lives and our children’s lives for years to come,” Lucas said.
Lucas also wants the USDA secretary to be a member of the committee which oversees foreign investments in the U.S. He just introduced a bill that would make it a law.
