PUBLIC LAW 104-127 —APR. 4, 1996 110 STAT. 1189 "(B) informal petitions or proposals for changes in inspection procedures, processes, and techniques of plants inspected under this Act; "(C) formal changes in meat inspection regulations promulgated under tlus Act, whether in notice, proposed, or final form; and "(D) such other matters as may be referred to the panel by the Secretary regarding the quality or effectiveness of a safe and cost-effective meat inspection system under this Act. "(2) REPORTS.— "(A) IN GENERAL.— -The panel shall submit to the Secretary a report on the results of each review and evaluation carried out under paragraph (1), including such recommendations as the panel considers appropriate. "(B) REPORTS ON FORMAL CHANGES.— In the case of a report concerning a formal change in meat inspection regulations, the report shall be made within the time limits prescribed for formal comments on such changes. "(C) PUBLICATION IN FEDERAL REGISTER. — Each report of the panel to the Secretary shall be published in the Federal Register. "(c) SECRETARIAL RESPONSE. —Not later than 90 days after the Federal Register, publication of a panel report under subsection (b)(2)(C), the Sec- publication, retary shall publish in the Federal Register any response required of the Secretary to the report. "(d) COMPOSITION OF PANEL.—The panel shall be composed of 7 members, not fewer than 5 of whom shall be from the food science, meat science, or poultry science profession, appointed to staggered terms not to exceed 3 years by the Secretary from nominations received from the National Institutes of Health and the Federation of American Societies of Food Animal Science and based on the professional qualifications of the nominees. "(e) NOMINATIONS.— "(1) INITIAL PANEL.—In constituting the initial panel, the Secretary shall solicit 6 nominees from the National Institutes of Health and 6 nominees from the Federation of American Societies of Food Animal Science for membership on the panel. "(2) VACANCIES.— Any subsequent vacancy on the panel shall be filled by the Secretary after soliciting 2 nominees from the National Institutes of Health and 2 nominees from the Federation of American Societies of Food Animal Science. "(3) REQUIREMENTS FOR NOMINEES.— "(A) IN GENERAL.— Each nominee provided under paragraph (1) or (2) shall have a background in public health issues and a scientific expertise in food, meat, or poultry science or in veterinary science. "(B) SUBMISSION OF INFORMATION.—The Secretary may require nominees to submit such information as the Secretary considers necessary prior to completing the selection process "(4) ADDITIONAL, NOMINEES.—I f any list of nominees provided under paragraph (1) or (2) is unsatisfactory to the Secretary, the Secretary may request the nominating entities to submit an additional list of nominees. "(f) TRAVEL EXPENSES.— While away from the home or regular place of business of a member of the panel in the performance
�
