(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, any person may, without regard to the provisions of §§922.41, 922.52, 922.53, and 922.55, and the regulations issued thereunder, handle apricots (1) for consumption by charitable institutions; (2) for distribution by relief agencies; or (3) for commercial processing into products.

(b) Upon the basis of recommendations and information submitted by the committee, or from other available information, the Secretary may relieve from any or all requirements, under or established pursuant to §922.41, §922.52, §922.53, or §922.55, the handling of apricots in such minimum quantities, or types of shipments, or for such specified purposes (including shipments to facilitate the conduct of marketing research and development projects established pursuant to §922.45), as the committee, with approval of the Secretary, may prescribe,

(c) The committee shall, with the approval of the Secretary, prescribe such rules, regulations, and safeguards as it may deem necessary to prevent apricots handled under the provisions of this section from entering the channels of trade for other than the specific purposes authorized by this section. Such rules, regulations, and safeguards may include the requirements that handlers shall file applications and receive approval from the committee for authorization to handle apricots pursuant to this section, and that such applications be accompanied by a certification by the intended purchaser or receiver that the apricots will not be used for any purpose not authorized by this section.