(INDIANAPOLIS) – A law was signed this Spring that would keep foreign adversaries from buying Indiana farm land.

The bipartisan effort that was passed in March prohibits China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia and Venezuela from owning or leasing farmland in the Hoosier State. It also imposes restrictions on real estate transactions within a ten mile radius of military installations.

The bill goes into effect July 1.

Opponents of the bill say it goes too far and restricts individuals who fled the targeted countries.

According to recent data, as presented by the Public News Service, Canada owns about one-third of America’s 1.3 billion acres of farmland. China owns 400,000 acres.

Approximately 2.2% of Indiana’s 15.5 million acres of farmland is currently owned by China. That includes 301 acres in Noble County.

There are 24 states, including Virginia, Montana, Alabama and Idaho that have passed similar legislation.