Reacquiring US Farmland From Chinese Corporations

Food
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Policy Proposal: Reacquisition of U.S. Farmland and Meat Processing Facilities from Chinese Ownership

Purpose:
To safeguard national food security, ensure the integrity of U.S. agricultural infrastructure, and regain control of strategically significant farmland and food production facilities currently under Chinese ownership.

Background:
In 2013, China-based WH Group acquired Smithfield Foods, the largest pork producer in the United States, for $4.7 billion. Through Smithfield Foods and its subsidiaries, WH Group holds substantial U.S. farmland, with over 80% of Chinese-owned U.S. agricultural land under its control. In Virginia alone, Murphy Brown LLC, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, owns 96% of the state’s Chinese-held farmland. This policy aims to facilitate the systematic purchase back of these assets to reinforce U.S. sovereignty over its agricultural resources.

Objectives:

  1. Reacquire U.S. farmland currently owned by Chinese corporations or investors.
  2. Purchase meat processing facilities, particularly those under Smithfield Foods and its subsidiaries.
  3. Prioritize acquisitions that hold strategic significance for national food security.
  4. Encourage participation from U.S. farmers, cooperatives, and domestic agribusinesses in the buyback initiative.

Policy Measures:

  1. Establishment of a Farmland and Food Security Reinvestment Fund:
  • Create a federal fund to finance the acquisition of targeted farmland and processing facilities.
  • Offer low-interest loans and grants to U.S. entities participating in the buyback process.
  1. Strategic Prioritization:
  • Identify critical assets for immediate purchase, focusing on large-scale operations such as those owned by Smithfield Foods and its subsidiaries.
  • Assess the environmental, economic, and strategic importance of each asset.
  1. Legislative Support:
  • Pass legislation enabling the federal government to exercise the right of first refusal on the sale of U.S. farmland and food production facilities to foreign entities.
  • Impose restrictions on future foreign acquisitions of agricultural land and critical food infrastructure.
  1. Stakeholder Collaboration:
  • Engage with state governments, private sector partners, and local communities to streamline the acquisition process.
  • Prioritize partnerships with American farmers, cooperatives, and agribusinesses committed to domestic food security.
  1. Monitoring and Compliance:
  • Establish a federal oversight body to monitor progress and ensure transparency in all transactions.
  • Implement strict compliance measures to prevent future foreign dominance in U.S. agriculture.

Expected Outcomes:

  • Increased domestic control over U.S. food production and agricultural land.
  • Strengthened national food security and supply chain resilience.
  • Enhanced economic opportunities for American farmers and agribusinesses.
  • Preservation of U.S. agricultural heritage and local community stability.

Implementation Timeline:

  • Phase 1 (0-6 months): Establish fund, legislative groundwork, and asset prioritization.
  • Phase 2 (6-18 months): Initiate purchase negotiations, secure key assets, and transfer ownership.
  • Phase 3 (18-36 months): Finalize acquisitions, integrate operations domestically, and ensure long-term sustainability.

Here is a list of the states location and brands they own.
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