Baldwin Rolls Out Bipartisan Legislation to Safeguard Domestic Food Supply, Keep Prices Down at Grocery Store
Currently foreign adversaries like China control key inputs that threaten to reduce agricultural productivity and increase food prices for consumers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined a group of Republican colleagues to introduce the Securing American Agriculture Act, bipartisan legislation to bolster and protect our domestic food and agriculture supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign adversaries. China has gained a significant market share in the production of essential agricultural inputs such as vitamins, veterinary pharmaceuticals, and crop protection tools, posing a serious threat to agricultural productivity, food prices, and national security.
The People’s Republic of China’s (PRC’s) strategic control over crucial sectors of our food and agricultural supply chain poses a serious national security threat. In recent years, the PRC gained significant market share in the production of essential agricultural inputs like vitamins, veterinary pharmaceuticals, and crop protection tools. China now controls over 90% of vitamin C and vitamin B6 production and up to 85% of amino acids used in animal feed.
Losing access to these key inputs could drastically reduce agricultural productivity, increase food prices, and undermine domestic food security. A University of Wisconsin-Whitewater study found that, if left unchecked, the PRC’s domination of the amino acids market would destroy 30,000 U.S. jobs and reduce economic activity by $15 billion per year. The Securing American Agriculture Act bolsters and protects our food production supply chain.
Specifically, the bipartisan bill:
- Requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with the U.S. Trade Representative and the Department of Commerce, to conduct an annual threat assessment of critical food and agricultural supply chains.
- Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to provide recommendations to mitigate potential threats from the PRC and for legislative and regulatory actions to reduce barriers to domestic critical input production.
The Senate bill is led by Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and co-sponsored by Mike Braun (R-IN), John Barrasso (R-WY), John Cornyn (R-TX), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Jim Risch (R-ID), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Eric Schmitt (R-MO).
An online version of this release is available here.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin
Baldwin Brings Home $3.45 Million for Wisconsin Dairy Businesses
Oct 4th, 2024 by U.S. Sen. Tammy BaldwinNationwide, Senator Baldwin’s Dairy Business Innovation Initiative has invested over $150 million to help dairy producers and processors innovate and add value
Baldwin Urges Mexican President to Take Action on China’s Connected Vehicles
Oct 3rd, 2024 by U.S. Sen. Tammy BaldwinLetter comes after the U.S. Department of Commerce announced restrictions on the import and sale of connected vehicles tied to the CCP