Barrasso, Lummis Co-Sponsor Legislation to Protect Domestic Agriculture Supply Chains from Foreign Threats

U.S. Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis (both R-WY) joined U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts of Nebraska Thursday in introducing the bipartisan Securing American Agriculture Act. This legislation would protect Wyoming food and agriculture supply chains from being taken over by foreign adversaries. China controls more than 90 percent of global production of many essential vitamins used in agricultural production, particularly in animal feed. A disruption in the supply of these key inputs could severely damage U.S. supply chains, affecting productivity and food prices.

The bill would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with the U.S. Trade Representative and the Department of Commerce, to conduct an annual threat assessment of critical food and agricultural supply chains. The legislation would also require the Secretary of Agriculture to provide recommendations to mitigate potential threats from the PRC and for legislative and regulatory actions to reduce barriers to domestic critical input production.

Senator Barrasso said protecting America’s agricultural and food supply chains from Chinese Communist Party threats is a top priority. Senator Lummis said  the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) extends far beyond our borders and this commonsense, bipartisan legislation is a crucial step toward safeguarding America’s future.