State House Majority Leader John Bell (R-Wayne) filed the N.C. Farmland and Military Protection Act, House Bill 463, to prohibit China, Russia, Iran and other foreign adversaries and state-controlled entities from purchasing agricultural land, including property surrounding military bases.

The act bans sales to adversarial governments of any agricultural land and any property within a 25 mile radius of a military installation or military airport.

“Allowing foreign adversaries to purchase farmland is a legitimate concern in rural North Carolina and poses a serious risk to our national and food security,” said Rep. Bell. “By putting a halt to these land grabs, this bill will protect our state’s most precious natural resources while further safeguarding our military instillations. It is critical that we act now to mitigate this unnecessary threat to our state and nation.”

The bill was filed Thursday, March 23 and if passed, would affect sales after January 1, 2024.

Photo Credit: ncleg.gov