WASHINGTON – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) raised concerns on Sept. 20 regarding the Biden Administration’s executive order on advancing research with biotechnology and biomanufacturing.

“We encourage the administration to support the biotechnology innovations already occurring in the cattle industry,” said Don Schiefelbein, president of NCBA. “Technology like gene editing is critical to improving cattle health and wellbeing, while also helping the US cattle industry demonstrate climate neutrality by 2040. These tools are necessary to build on our legacy as sustainable providers of beef to consumers in the US and around the world.”

Schiefelbein was also disappointed in the portion of the executive order that will assess the use of biotechnology and biomanufacturing for cultured meat.

“Unfortunately, we are extremely disappointed that this Executive Order also addresses fake meat production under the guise of food security,” he added. “Supporting cell-cultured, fake meat products is the wrong approach and the administration should remain focused on supporting America’s farmers and ranchers.”