Cedar Rapids Today

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson and Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin have introduced the Securing American Agriculture Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at safeguarding the American food and agriculture supply chain from Chinese influence. Hinson emphasized the critical need for this legislation, stating, "China has captured significant market share for agricultural inputs that are vital to our domestic food supply, ceding our top adversary leverage and control."

Slotkin echoed the sentiment, highlighting the importance of food security as national security. She stressed the necessity of addressing vulnerabilities in the food supply chain, especially in light of the food shortages experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Slotkin asserted, "The Securing American Agriculture Act will require an assessment of the ways an adversary like China could disrupt our agriculture supply chains."

Support for the bill has been strong, with Constance Cullman, President & CEO of the American Feed Industry Association, commending Hinson, Slotkin, and cosponsors for their efforts. Cullman expressed concerns about the United States' reliance on China for essential vitamins and inputs crucial for feed and pet food production, emphasizing the potential risks to animal welfare, food security, and the economy.

The bill addresses China's dominance in key agricultural inputs, such as essential vitamins and amino acids. According to the American Feed Industry Association, China controls over 90% of global production of essential vitamins used in animal feed. Additionally, Chinese manufacturers control a significant portion of global capacity for essential amino acids used in animal feed.

A study from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater highlighted the potential economic impact of China's control over the amino acids market, projecting job losses and reduced economic activity in the United States if left unchecked.

The Securing American Agriculture Act aims to mitigate these risks and ensure the resilience of America's food supply chain against external influence, particularly from China.