(a) All information obtained from the books, records, or reports required to be maintained under §§1210.350 and 1210.351 shall be kept confidential and shall not be disclosed to the public by any person. Only such information as the Secretary deems relevant shall be disclosed to the public and then only in a suit or administrative hearing brought at the direction, or on the request, of the Secretary, or to which the Secretary or any officer of the United States is a party, and involving this Plan: Except that nothing in this subpart shall be deemed to prohibit:

(1) The issuance of general statements based on the reports of a number of handlers or importers subject to this Plan if such statements do not identify the information furnished by any person; or

(2) The publication by direction of the Secretary of the name of any person violating this Plan together with a statement of the particular provisions of this Plan violated by such person.

(b) Any disclosure of confidential information by any employee of the Board, except as required by law, shall be considered willful misconduct.

[54 FR 24545, June 8, 1989, as amended at 60 FR 10799, Feb. 28, 1995]