The National Farmers Union is supporting the National Security Act legislation that has just been introduced. Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst are co-sponsoring the measure along with Debbie Stabenow of Michigan. National Farmers Union’s Vice President of Advocacy Mike Stranz says part of the need for the legislation is it’s tied to the growing amount of U.S farmland being purchased by foreign companies.

He says the bill if approved will help protect national security as well as food security. The measure would grant permanent representation on the Committee on Foreign Investment to both the U.S. Ag Secretary and the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Straznz says failing to address the growing foreign ownership of U.S. farmland will lead to more economic and security problems because it allies itself with the rising problem of concentration in agriculture.

Senator Stabenow says as foreign entities continue their acquisitions of U.S. food and agriculture companies, America’s farmers and ranchers and families deserve to know those transactions receive proper scrutiny.