The federal government would begin keeping a closer watch on purchases of American farmland by foreign entities under a measure introduced by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst and U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra.

The measure targets purchases that exceed $5 million or 320 acres.

“It is in the interest of the United States to review purchases of American farmland by foreign entities to protect our farms and agricultural production from our foreign adversaries, especially China,” Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, said in a written statement. “But for far too long, our government has repeatedly failed to enforce the laws on the books, monitor foreign purchases of our farmland or assess financial penalties on those who break our laws.”

The bill is called the Foreign Agricultural Restrictions to Maintain Local Agriculture and National Defense Act.

It would do these things:

— Authorize the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review all purchases or leases of farmland by foreign entities that exceed $5 million or 320 acres.

— Require the departments of Agriculture and Homeland Security to publish an annual report outlining any threats posed by foreign investment in American farmland.

— Direct the Department of Agriculture to develop a public database of all farmland owned by foreign entities.

— Prohibit foreign-owned farmland from being in Farm Service Agency programs.

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States is led by the secretary of the treasury and includes representatives of the Justice, Homeland Security, Commerce, Defense, State and Energy departments plus staff from the U.S. Trade Representative and the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

“It’s time to show the world we will do what it takes to protect our agriculture industry, our national security and our food security,” Ernst, a Republican, said in a written statement.

The bill awaits action by committees in the Senate and House of Representatives.

Current law requires foreign entities to report their ownership of American farmland.

But according to Ernst and Feenstra, enforcement of that law has been “virtually nonexistent,” in part because government agencies don’t have explicit power to investigate foreign farmland holdings. The lawmakers say their proposal will correct that situation.