WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) have called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to modernize its process for electronic submission and retention of Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) disclosures. In a bipartisan letter to the USDA, they highlighted the need for a streamlined, digital system to replace the current manual data entry method.
The current process involves physical paper forms that must be manually re-typed into Farm Service Agency (FSA) systems. This method increases the risk of errors, leading to the publication of inaccurate information. According to the senators, there have been instances where energy developers were mistakenly identified as having ownership interests from sanctioned nations. In reality, these investments originated from U.S. allies. Such errors can create confusion and undermine the credibility of the data.
Senators Fetterman and Ernst were joined in their appeal by a diverse group of lawmakers, including Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), John Barrasso (R-WY), Mike Braun (R-IN), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), James E. Risch (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).
“The current practice of manual data entry, including the re-typing of paper-filed reports into FSA systems, can lead to the publication of problematic and inaccurate information,” the senators wrote. They emphasized that errors in these disclosures not only cause confusion but could also have significant implications for national security and economic policy.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 mandates the establishment of an electronic system for AFIDA disclosures. An electronic system would facilitate more accurate and timely reporting of agricultural foreign investments. Accurate data is crucial for policymakers to make informed decisions that affect national security, economic stability, and the agricultural sector.
Accurate AFIDA disclosures are essential for understanding the extent of foreign investment in U.S. agricultural land. Inaccurate data can lead to misguided policies that may harm domestic interests. Moreover, transparency in foreign investments ensures that national security is not compromised by hidden foreign ownership in critical agricultural sectors.
Therefore, the senators’ request for a modernized, electronic submission process aims to enhance the integrity and reliability of AFIDA data. This improvement is expected to provide clearer insights into foreign investment patterns and help safeguard national interests.
The USDA’s response to this bipartisan call for modernization could have far-reaching implications for the way agricultural foreign investments are reported and monitored. As the nation navigates complex global economic landscapes, accurate and reliable data will play a pivotal role in shaping effective policies.
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