AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas has led the nation over the last 10 years in foreign purchases of its agricultural land, raising concerns about food security.

Data obtained by the Midwest Center for Investigative Reportingfound foreign companies and individuals have bought 1.7 million acres of farm-, timber- and pastureland in Texas over the last decade, far more than in any other state, the Austin American-Statesman reported Saturday (https://atxne.ws/2uli3YG ). The foreign-owned land is worth about $3.3 billion.

The purchases mirror an increase in the foreign purchase of land across the U.S. that has spurred calls to tighten regulations on foreign investment in the agricultural sector.

Bills filed in Congress would increase scrutiny of agricultural land deals involving foreign buyers to make sure they don’t endanger the nation’s access to a reliable food supply.

“As we think about the future and growing global population, it’s important to consider who will control the food supply,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican who co-authored a bill to require agricultural land deals to get stricter government vetting.