Washington D.C. – A bipartisan group of lawmakers, led by U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), have reintroduced the Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act, aimed at bolstering cybersecurity protections in the agriculture industry and safeguarding the nation’s food supply chain.
The legislation seeks to identify vulnerabilities within both public and private sectors of agriculture and enhance protective measures against cyber threats. Under the bill, the Secretary of Agriculture would be required to conduct a biannual risk assessment evaluating cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities in the agriculture and food sectors. The findings would then be reported to Congress.
“Food security is national security, and recognizing that requires our farmland be protected from foreign adversaries, like China,” said Senator Britt. “It is absolutely imperative we work diligently to identify any cyber threats to America’s agriculture communities that feed and clothe our state, nation, and world.”
In addition to risk assessments, the bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretaries of Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, and the Director of National Intelligence, to conduct an annual cross-sector crisis simulation exercise. These exercises would focus on responding to cyber-related emergencies or disruptions in the food supply chain.
“America’s adversaries are seeking to gain any advantage they can against us—including targeting critical industries like agriculture,” said Senator Cotton. “Congress must work with the Department of Agriculture to identify and defeat these cybersecurity vulnerabilities.”
Senator Slotkin emphasized the growing threat of cyberattacks to the agricultural sector, stating, “Cyber attacks threaten our food supply constantly, and we must ensure both government and private industries are prepared.”
The bill has also gained support in the House, where Congressman Brad Finstad (R-Minn.) is introducing companion legislation.
In addition to supporting the Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act in both the 118th and 119th Congresses, Senator Britt has reintroduced the Not One More Inch or Acre Act alongside Senators Cotton and Kevin Cramer (R-N.Dak.). This legislation aims to prevent Chinese individuals or businesses from owning American farmland.
“The Not One More Inch or Acre Act provides the necessary authority to safeguard American interests, secure our agriculture industry, and protect our homeland,” Britt stated.
Senator Britt was recently honored by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) with the Outstanding New Member of Congress Award. AFBF President Zippy Duvall praised Britt’s leadership, stating, “Her leadership is needed to help address the challenges facing America’s farmers and ranchers.”
As cybersecurity threats to agriculture continue to evolve, lawmakers emphasize the need for increased vigilance and proactive measures to protect food production and supply chains nationwide.
