FCC Announces Ban on All Foreign-Made Drones
On Dec. 22, the Federal Communications Commission announced a ban on new foreign-made drones and drone parts from entering the United States. The action stems from two executive orders issued by President Trump related to unmanned aircraft systems.
The FCC’s determination followed a White House-convened review involving an executive branch interagency body with national security expertise. That review concluded that certain foreign-produced unmanned aircraft systems, or UAS, and critical component parts pose “unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States and to the safety and security of U.S. persons.”
The decision does not affect consumers’ ability to continue using drones they already own, nor does it prevent retailers from selling, importing or marketing drone models previously approved through the FCC’s equipment authorization process. However, with foreign-based suppliers making up a significant portion of the UAS market, there are concerns the ban could disrupt agricultural operations that increasingly rely on drones for applications and other uses.
Staff contact: Matthew Viohl, mviohl@cfbf.com.
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