Hinson Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Prevent China From Controlling America's Food Supply Chain

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02) and Select Committee on China Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), alongside Senators Ricketts (R-NE) and Slotkin (D-MI), reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Securing American Agriculture Act. This critical legislation will ensure that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) effectively monitors vulnerabilities in our food and agriculture supply chains that could be exploited by China, preserving access to key agricultural inputs for American producers.
 
"China has intentionally captured a significant market share of America’s agricultural inputs—which is vital to our food supply chain—ceding leverage to our top adversary. Iowa farmers have told me firsthand that if China decides to shut off U.S. access to these critical inputs, our food production would be in jeopardy. I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan bill that exposes and counters China’s grip on agricultural inputs to strengthen domestic manufacturing and food security. Plain and simple: we should bring our agriculture supply chain home." – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson

“The bipartisan, bicameral Securing American Agriculture Act is a critical step forward in protecting our nation’s food supply and farmers from foreign adversaries, including the Chinese Communist Party, who threaten our agricultural security. America’s farmers are the backbone of our economy, and we must ensure they have the resources and safeguards needed to compete on a level playing field while securing our nation’s agricultural supply chains.” – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi 

“Communist China’s strategic control over crucial sectors of our food and agricultural supply chains poses a serious national security threat. Losing access to key inputs could reduce productivity, increase food prices, and undermine food security. My bill will bolster and protect these supply chains and reduce our reliance on foreign adversaries.” – Senator Pete Ricketts

“Food security is national security – and we need to treat threats to our food supply chain just like any other security risk.This legislation requires us to assess those risks so we can protect our food supply. Bottom line: We need to make sure America’s agriculture supply chain is secure and stays right here at home.” – Senator Elissa Slotkin

“The American Feed Industry Association appreciates the leadership of Rep. Ashley Hinson, Ranking Member Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Sen. Pete Ricketts and Sen. Elissa Slotkin, along with their bipartisan colleagues, in introducing the Securing American Agriculture Act today. Just like humans, animals require daily vitamins and amino acids for healthy growth and development or their health will suffer. By supporting the Securing American Agriculture Act, we can give federal decision-makers a clearer shot at guarding the United States from potentially catastrophic animal welfare, food security or economic consequences." – Constance Cullman, President and CEO, American Feed Industry Association
 
Background:

• According to the American Feed Industry Association, China controls over 90% of the global production of many essential vitamins used in animal feed, including vitamin C and vitamin B6. A lack in availability of these vitamins would have significant impacts on animal health and productivity, which would lead to substantially higher production costs or even shortages.
• China has also cornered the market for amino acids. Chinese manufacturers—including the Fufeng Group—control the global capacity for up to 85% of some essential amino acids used in animal feed. 
• In addition, a 2021 study from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater found that, if left unchecked, China’s domination of the amino acids market would destroy 30,000 American jobs and reduce economic activity by $15 billion per year.

This bill was introduced with Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI-02), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), Scott Franklin (R-FL-15), Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04), Ben Cline (R-VA-06), Andre Carson (D-IN-07), Mark Alford (R-MO-04), Brad Finstad (R-MN-01), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-01), and Tim Moore (R-NC-14).

The bill was first covered by Fox News here. Full bill text can be found here.