NGFA endorsed a pair of bipartisan, bicameral bills that would strengthen cybersecurity for the food and agriculture industry.
The Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act, introduced by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, D- N.Y., and Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; and Reps. Brad Finstad, R- Minn., and Elissa Slotkin, D- Mich., would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct a study of cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities in the food and agriculture sectors every two years and submit a report to Congress.
“Protecting our nation’s farms and food security against cyberattacks is a vital component of our national security,” Sen. Gillibrand said. “The Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act is a crucial step toward preparing our nation’s agriculture sector to respond to potential cyberattacks.”
USDA would also be required to conduct annual crisis simulation exercises with the Homeland Security Department, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Director of National Intelligence.
Rep. Finstad said the Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act “will provide us with a greater understanding of the susceptibility of our country’s food supply to cyberattacks, and more importantly, help us prevent these attacks from occurring in the future.”
The legislation has also been endorsed by the American Farm Bureau Federation, North American Millers Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Producers Council, USA Rice, Agricultural Retailers Association, American Sugar Alliance, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.