§ 6981. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety
(a)
 Establishment 
There is established in the Department of Agriculture the position of Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety. The Under Secretary shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from among individuals with specialized training or significant experience in food safety or public health programs.
(b)
 Functions of Under Secretary 
(d)
 Technical and scientific review groups 
               	 	
               	 	
The Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, may, without regard to the provisions of title 5 governing appointment in the competitive service, and without regard to the provisions of chapter 
51 and subchapter 
III of chapter 
53 of title 
5 relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates—