WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Representatives Brad Finstad (MN-01) and Elissa Slotkin (MI-07) introduced H.R. 7062, the Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation strengthens cybersecurity protections within the food and agriculture critical infrastructure sector by identifying vulnerabilities and improves the protective measures of government and private entities against devastating cyber threats on America’s food supply chain. Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

Specifically, the Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act:

• Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study every two years on cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities within the agriculture and food sectors and submit a report to Congress; and,
• Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, as well as the Director of National Intelligence, to conduct an annual cross-sector crisis simulation exercise for food-related cyber emergencies or disruptions.

“Food and farm security is national security,” said Rep. Finstad. “With growing threats at home and abroad, it is increasingly important that we ensure our nation’s agriculture sector and food supply chain remain secure. I am proud to join Rep. Slotkin and Senator Cotton in introducing the Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act, which will provide us with a greater understanding of the susceptibility of our country’s food supply to cyber-attacks, and more importantly, help us prevent these attacks from occurring in the future.”

“Food security is national security, so it’s critical that American agriculture is protected from cyber threats,” said Rep. Slotkin. “No longer just some tech issue, cyber attacks have the potential to upend folks’ daily lives and threaten our food supply – like we saw a couple years ago when the meat-packing company JBS was taken offline by a ransomware attack. This legislation will require the Department of Agriculture to work closely with our national security agencies to ensure that adversaries like China can’t threaten our ability to feed ourselves by ourselves.”

“America’s adversaries are seeking to gain any advantage they can against us — including targeting critical industries like agriculture. Congress must work with the Department of Agriculture to identify and defeat these cybersecurity vulnerabilities. This legislation will ensure we are prepared to protect the supply chains our farmers and all Americans rely on,” said Senator Cotton.

"Protecting our nation’s farms and food security against cyberattacks is a vital component of our national security,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act is a crucial step toward preparing our nation's agriculture sector to respond to potential cyberattacks. I am committed to ensuring our American agriculture sector is ready to defend against these cyber threats and look forward to working with my colleagues to get this important bill passed.”

In addition to Finstad and Slotkin, original cosponsors include Representatives Trent Kelly (MS-01), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Don Bacon (NE-02), Yadira Caraveo (CO-08), Ashley Hinson (IA-02), Darren Soto (FL-09), John Moolenaar (MI-02), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Austin Scott (GA-08), Zach Nunn (IA-03), Mark Alford (MO-04), and Lloyd Smucker (PA-11).

The Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act is supported by: American Farm Bureau Federation, North American Millers Association, National Grain and Feed Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Producers Council, USA Rice, Agricultural Retailers Association, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and American Sugar Alliance.

“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce supports the bipartisan Farm and Food Cybersecurity Act of 2024. The agriculture and food industry has for many years worked closely with the federal government, including the departments of Agriculture and Homeland Security, to enhance security and resilience. This bill furthers that goal. The bill’s call for studying cybersecurity risks to the sector and holding exercises, including to mitigate food-related disruptions in the supply chain, is a productive step. The Chamber commends the lawmakers active on this legislation, and we look forward to working with them and other stakeholders as the bill advances through the legislative process.” – Matthew Eggers, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Vice President of Cybersecurity Policy