The Delta Council board of directors has endorsed a proposal to add catfish to U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food safety inspection program.

The Delta Council is a regional group of agriculture and business interests in the Mississippi Delta. The issue came up in the board’s recent midyear meeting in Stoneville.

John Phillips, chairman of the council’s executive committee, said that the USDA should treat catfish just like it does beef, pork and poultry.

The Catfish Farmers of America has asked the USDA to ensure that domestic and imported catfish meet health and safety standards. The USDA currently regulates all meat products, but does not inspect seafood.