*Missouri Governor ? Michael L. Parson*

Office of Communications

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*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

January 2,?2024

*Governor Parson Bans China-Owned Agricultural Land Near Critical Military?**Facilities*

"Empowers Department of Agriculture with Greater Oversight and Enforcement?Authority Regarding Foreign-Owned Agricultural Land Purchases?"

*(JEFFERSON CITY, MO)* ? Today, during a press conference at the State Capitol, Governor Mike Parson announced he has issued Executive Order 24-01, which bans individuals and businesses from nations designated as foreign adversaries from purchasing agricultural land within a 10-mile radius of critical military facilities in the State of Missouri.

At the press conference, Governor Parson was joined by Lieutenant?Governor Mike Kehoe?as well as Missouri Department of Agriculture?Director Chris Chinn, Missouri?Department?of Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten, and Missouri National Guard Adjutant General Levon Cumpton.?

"With heightened concerns regarding ownership of Missouri farm land by foreign adversaries, especially China, we are signing this order to safeguard our military and intelligence assets, prevent security threats to our state, and give Missourians greater peace of mind," *Governor Parson* said. "When it comes to China and other foreign adversaries, we must take commonsense precautions that protect Missourians and our security resources."

?I applaud Governor Parson for taking this critical step forward to protect Missourians, our military assets, and critical infrastructure against China and other foreign adversaries, all while respecting our strong relationships with international allies and economic partners,? *Lt. Governor Kehoe* said. ?China is our nation?s most hostile foreign adversary, and Missouri cannot allow individuals and companies associated with the Chinese Communist Party to buy and exploit Missouri land.?

Executive Order 24-01 bans any citizen, resident, or business from a foreign adversary, outlined in 15 C.F.R?? 7.4, from owning or acquiring Missouri agriculture land within 10 miles of critical military facilities. Nations currently classified as foreign adversaries include China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela.

For the purposes of this order, "critical military facilities" refers to all staffed military facilities in Missouri. The order does not affect existing landowners.?

Currently,?foreign agricultural land purchases are capped at one percent of the total agricultural land across the state, as outlined in state statute, Section 442.571, RSMo. Executive Order 24-01 creates more stringent requirements for these land purchases and requires approval from the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) prior to _*any*_ foreign acquisitions of agricultural land. The order also requires disclosing certain?information?to MDA prior to _*any*_ foreign entity acquiring Missouri agricultural?land. Specifics can be found in the Executive Order [ [link removed] ].?

These additional requirements?will help inform MDA personnel?as to whether an agriculture land?purchase by a foreign alien or business should be approved or denied. Governor Parson will also include funding?in his upcoming Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 supplemental budget?and his FY 2025 budget to ensure MDA has the necessary resources?and staff to enforce these protections.?

During the press?conference, Governor Parson made clear that his order does not impact Missouri's valued economic partnerships with foreign allies, including Israel, Sweden, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan, among many others that have a longstanding presence in Missouri and employ thousands of Missourians.?

In the last five years alone, foreign?investment in Missouri?has totaled nearly $19 billion and directly supported close to 150,000 Missouri jobs.??

"There are numerous Missouri employers from friendly nations that we have strong economic relationships with, and we must ensure we are not disrupting Missouri's economy?or Missourians' lives and?livelihoods. Commonsense decisions and a balanced?approach must always win, and Missouri must remain open for business to our allies," *Governor Parson* said. "As such, we believe this order, with the authority?we have, sufficiently protects Missouri?s security interests from potential bad actors while not punishing our allies for being good economic partners or upstanding individuals fleeing oppression and coming to our nation legally in search of a better life."

To view Executive Order 24-01, click here [ [link removed] ]?or see attachment. Executive Order 24-01 will stand in effect until otherwise rescinded.?

Governor Parson's remarks from today's press conference can be found in the attached. A list of all staffed military facilities and corresponding?10-mile radiuses can be found in the attached.?

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* EO 24-01.pdf [ [link removed] ]
* MONG_ staffed military facilities.pdf [ [link removed] ]
* 01-02-2024 EO 24-01 Press Conference (public).pdf [ [link removed] ]
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Contact: Johnathan Shiflett

Deputy Communications Director/Press Secretary?

Mobile: 573-508-4323

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.governor.mo.gov

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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Office of Governor Michael L. Parson ? PO Box 720?? Jefferson City, MO 65102 ? (573) 751-3222 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]