Report uncovers faults in US tracking of foreign farmland ownership

By Farms.com

A critical report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has cast doubts on the reliability of the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) data regarding foreign ownership of US farmland. This issue, particularly concerning Chinese holdings, has implications for national security. 

The report found that the USDA's current data collection system, reliant on outdated paper forms, is rife with errors. Notably, the largest Chinese landholding was reported twice, potentially overstating China's actual farmland ownership in the US.  

The GAO's findings have come amidst heightened concerns over foreign control of American agricultural resources, with Chinese ownership being a focal point of the debate. 

To address these data inaccuracies, the GAO has proposed six recommendations, including modernizing the USDA's reporting system and establishing an online platform for data submission. However, due to budgetary limitations, these improvements remain unimplemented, despite a congressional mandate to establish an online reporting system by 2025. 

The flawed reporting has fueled legislative action in various states, aiming to restrict foreign land ownership, particularly by nations perceived as adversaries. Republican leaders have echoed these concerns, advocating for stricter control over foreign land acquisitions in the US. 

The USDA, in its current capacity, reports that foreign investors, including those from China, hold a minor portion of the total US farmland. However, the accuracy of this data is now in question.  

This situation underscores the need for a more reliable and transparent approach to tracking foreign investment in US agricultural land, balancing the need for national security with the integrity of agricultural data reporting. This balance is crucial for ensuring the protection of America's food supply and agricultural interests.