(1) The council shall be composed of the following members:

(a) The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee and five (5) additional members of the Senate, no more than two (2) members from one (1) congressional district. Upon recommendation by the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, the Lieutenant Governor shall appoint such five (5) additional members.

(b) The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee and five (5) additional members of the House, no more than two (2) members from one (1) congressional district. Upon recommendation by the Chairman of the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee, the Speaker shall appoint such five (5) additional members.

(2) The Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Chairman of the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee shall serve as Co-Chairmen of the council.

(3) In conducting the studies and formulating the recommendations required of it, the council may elicit the support of and participation by any commercial, industrial, governmental, agricultural, minority and public interest organizations or associations, or individual members thereof, and any federal, state and local agencies and political subdivisions as may be necessary, or appropriate in the furtherance of the activities of the council.

(4) In addition, the council shall be authorized to contract or enter into agreements with other agencies or private research centers that it may deem necessary to carry out its duties and functions.

(5) For attending meetings of the council, each legislative member shall receive per diem and expenses which shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same amounts as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session. However, no per diem and expenses shall be paid for attending meetings of the council while the Legislature is in session, and no per diem and expenses shall be paid without prior approval of the proper committee in the member’s respective house. However, per diem and travel expenses incurred by members of the council which are not incurred for the purpose of attending regular council meetings may be paid out of funds appropriated to the Mississippi Agribusiness Council in the amount provided by Sections 5-1-45 and 25-3-41, Mississippi Code of 1972.