Concerns Over Chinese Agricultural Drones Spark Debate

Congress Members Send Letter to USDA and CISA: DJI Responds to Growing National Security Concerns

In a recent letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), 12 members of Congress expressed concerns about the use of Chinese-manufactured drones in U.S. agriculture. The letter highlights the potential risks posed by drones produced by Shenzhen DJI Innovation Technology Co., Ltd. (DJI), citing national security and food security concerns.

These worries stem from fears that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) may use these drones to compromise the U.S. food supply. DJI, the world’s leading manufacturer of drones, has responded by defending its products and practices, calling the allegations unfounded.

Congressional Concerns Over Food and National Security

The letter from the members of Congress emphasizes the strategic importance of food security and accuses the CCP of trying to undermine the U.S. agricultural sector through unfair trade practices and government subsidies. The lawmakers stated, “Food security is national security and the CCP is actively trying to undermine America’s global agricultural dominance.”

They further warned that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has increased its ownership of U.S. agricultural land and that Chinese spies have stolen genetically modified seeds developed in the U.S. “Dominating the supply of agriculture drones is another strategy that the PRC is pursuing to jeopardize America’s food supply,” the letter claimed.

According to the lawmakers, DJI drones used for agriculture, especially those equipped with aerosol dispensing capabilities, have the potential to be used as weapons. They also pointed to a report from the U.S. Department of Commerce, which classifies these drones as having “the potential to be used as weapons delivery platforms.” The congress members expressed concern that DJI’s drones could be manipulated to carry out attacks or transmit sensitive agricultural data to the CCP.

They also cited a cybersecurity guidance from CISA and the FBI, stating that the use of Chinese-manufactured drones “risks exposing sensitive information to PRC authorities, jeopardizing U.S. national security, economic security, and public health and safety.”

DJI Defends Its Role in U.S. Agriculture

DJI responded to the letter with a blog post titled The Truth About DJI’s Agriculture Drones, in which the company refuted the allegations and stressed the positive impact of its technology on U.S. farming. DJI’s statement claimed that the company’s drones have been instrumental in “driving yield increases, reducing costs, and enabling more sustainable and innovative farming practices.”

The blog post criticized the congressional concerns as “overblown” and suggested that restricting access to DJI drones could harm both the agricultural industry and the communities that rely on it. DJI explained that its market dominance is due to innovation, reliability, and safety, rather than any unfair trade practices.

In addressing the security concerns, DJI emphasized that it has “continuously invested in regular security audits” since 2017 and follows best practices for cybersecurity. The company stated, “DJI drones are safe and align with best practice cybersecurity.” The post further clarified that DJI is a privately held company with no ties to the Chinese military, and its founder has controlled the company since its inception in 2006. “We do not manufacture military-grade equipment, nor do we pursue business opportunities for combat use or operations,” the blog asserted.

The Broader Impact on U.S. Agriculture

While the concerns about national security and food security are at the forefront of the debate, both sides agree on the importance of technology in modern agriculture. The congressional letter warned that relying on Chinese technology for critical agricultural operations could make the U.S. food supply vulnerable to manipulation by the CCP. “If the success of the U.S. agricultural industry is dependent on American farmers’ access to procuring and operating Chinese drones, then Communist China will have control over our nation’s food supply,” the lawmakers wrote.

On the other hand, DJI highlighted how its drones support U.S. farmers by improving crop management, reducing input costs, and increasing yields. “DJI’s agriculture drone solutions have proven to support sustainable farming and help farmers incorporate precision agriculture techniques,” the company stated. DJI also noted that its drones have created new business opportunities for U.S. entrepreneurs, particularly in providing drone spraying services.

Moving Forward: Addressing Security and Innovation

The issue of Chinese-manufactured drones in U.S. agriculture raises complex questions about the balance between innovation and national security. DJI has called for a clear set of technology-based security standards that all manufacturers, regardless of origin, must follow. In its blog post, DJI stated, “If these members of Congress are truly interested in strengthening the U.S.’ agricultural capabilities and supporting farmers nationwide, they should engage directly with farmers to see firsthand how they use drone technologies to optimize their operations.”

The congressional members have requested a briefing on efforts to mitigate the risks of Chinese-manufactured drones to U.S. agriculture by the end of September 2024.

Read more:

• House Passes Countering CCP Drones Act: Now What?
• Senator Rick Scott Submits Amendment to Add Countering CCP Drones Act to NDAA FY25
• What is the Countering CCP Drones Act, and What Does it Mean for DJI Drones?
• DJI Publishes Security White Paper