WASHINGTON- President Joe Biden and his administration shared their support for producing cultured animal meats in an executive order on Sept. 12.

The order directs Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and the USDA to submit a report assessing how to use biotechnology and biomanufacturing for cultured meat.

In other parts of the order, Biden wants the USDA to look at how biotechnology and biomanufacturing can improve sustainability and land conservation, increase food quality and nutrition, along with increasing and protecting agricultural yields.

The order also wants to look at protecting against plant and animal pests and diseases and cultivating alternative food sources.

During a background press call on Sept. 11, a senior administration official called out cultured items specifically.

“We’re also looking to improve food security and drive agricultural innovation, including through new technologies that protect crops from disease, enhance seeds and fertilizers and foods made with cultured animal cells,” the official said. 

In the order, the federal government also directed the Secretaries of Defense, Commerce and Health and Human Services to assess how it can use biotechnology and biomanufacturing throughout the US supply chain.

This is the latest step of the federal government showing an interest in cultured meat. In October 2021, the USDA awarded Tufts University $10 million to establish the National Institute for Cellular Agriculture.  

Although research and development is going on throughout the world on cultured meat, Singapore is still the only country to approve the sale of the product.