(a) Upon the request of the Fresh Pear Committee or the Processed Pear Committee, and subject to the approval of the Secretary, each handler shall furnish to the aforesaid committee, respectively, in such manner and at such times as it prescribes, such information as will enable it to perform its duties under this subpart.

(b) All such reports shall be held under appropriate protective classification and custody by the Fresh Pear Committee or the Processed Pear Committee, or duly appointed employees thereof, so that the information contained therein which may adversely affect the competitive position of any handler in relation to other handlers will not be disclosed. Compilations of general reports from data submitted by handlers are authorized subject to the prohibition of disclosure of individual handler's identities or operations.

(c) Each handler shall maintain for at least two succeeding years such records of the pears received and of pears disposed of, by such handler as may be necessary to verify reports pursuant to this section.