(NAFB.com) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association expressed disappointment Tuesday over an Executive Order announced last week.

The White House last week released the Executive Order on Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy. NCBA President Don Schiefelbein says, “Unfortunately, we are extremely disappointed that this Executive Order also addresses fake meat production under the guise of food security.” He adds, “Supporting cell-cultured, fake meat products is the wrong approach, and the administration should remain focused on supporting America’s farmers and ranchers.”

NCBA encourages the administration to support the biotechnology innovations already occurring in the cattle industry. According to the organization, technology like gene editing is critical to improving cattle health and wellbeing, while also helping the U.S. cattle industry demonstrate climate neutrality by 2040.

NCBA says cattle producers play an important role in ensuring food security and has long fought for policies that help producers remain in business while raising the highest quality beef in the world.