Arkansas compels the subsidiary of a Chinese-owned corporation to sell 160 acres of farmland, marking a turning point in the push to restrict foreign ownership in the agriculture industry.
The land owned by Northrup King Seed Co. in Craighead County must be sold within the following two years, according to Tim Griffin, the Attorney General. This instruction is a result of recent legislation that the Republican-controlled Legislature approved and Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed.
Learn about the strong bond that exists between Northrup and Syngenta Seeds, which are both owned by the renowned ChemChina, a state-owned enterprise in China.
Griffin and Sanders spoke at a press conference to announce the move. Sanders said, “We will make sure that every company operating in Arkansas is a friend to Arkansas and good to hard-working Arkansans,”
The state’s decision on Syngenta’s long-held land has left them unhappy. They emphasize that they have never received orders from Chinese authorities to purchase or lease any land.
“Our people in Arkansas are Americans led by Americans who care deeply about serving Arkansas farmers. This action hurts Arkansas farmers more than anyone else,” the company said.
In the US, worries over foreign ownership of agriculture have increased significantly. The number of states that have laws that limit or forbid foreign ownership and investment in private agriculture has increased from 14 to 24 this year. According to the National Agriculture Law Center at the University of Arkansas, lawmakers have been debating this matter in roughly three-quarters of all states.
Specifically targeting investments from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, the attorney general of Arkansas takes a strong stance against these foreign entities. the first enforcement measure resulting from a fresh wave of legislation. Ask Micah Brown, an attorney on staff at the Agricultural Law Center, for further information.
A staff attorney at the agricultural law center named Micah Brown said, “Historically, states that had a law prior to this year did not enforce it vigorously.”
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If a firm fails to sell land as required by state law, Arkansas has the authority to sue the company in court. It’s unclear if the state has discovered any additional foreign-owned property that would be subject to the same penalties under the new law.
Syngenta was fined $280,000 for not disclosing foreign ownership! The payment date is 30 days; don’t forget it! Learn more about the modifications and the company’s reaction.
Griffin would to comment on whether he had talked with Syngenta, but he did say that he had “full confidence” that the corporation will sell the land and pay the fine.
Chinese land ownership close to military bases in Texas and North Dakota has sparked intense debate. State regulations on property ownership have become harsher as a result of the recent incident with a Chinese surveillance balloon crossing the US. This problem has evolved into a “political flashpoint,” with possible ramifications for the security of the country.
