Iowa congressman to introduce legislation targeting agroterrorism
Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn says he's ready to tackle agroterrorism in a new piece of legislation he'll introduce on Capitol Hill.
Nunn, who spoke exclusively to vlog about the drafted bill, said it'll be called the "Plant Act."
The bill establishes a new criminal offense for knowingly or recklessly importing, transporting or possessing high-risk agricultural biological agents not authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Violators could face up to 20 years in prison.
"That is really to be able to establish the ability to help defend the type of agriculture that's grown here in the United States," Nunn said. "This is not a red or blue issue. This is a national security issue."
The bill also gives new tools to several government agencies to prevent agroterrorism. Nunn said this is not a new issue. Just last week, two Chinese nationals were federally charged in Michigan with smuggling a fungus described as a "potential agroterrorism weapon" into the United States.
"This looks to make sure that we have a federal law that will hold individuals like this accountable, and that any administration in power has to respond to the law here," Nunn said.
Grant Kimberely, a corn and soybean farmer in Maxwell, said the bill is a step in the right direction. He said his operation relies on a lot of technology that he fears could be breached.
"We want to make sure that we protect the technologies and ultimately so we can grow a safe, affordable, sustainable food supply," Kimberley said. "A country needs to have strong, safe, affordable food to be self-sufficient."
Nunn said the bill has been drafted, but it has yet to be introduced. He said he expects to gain support from both Republicans and Democrats.
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