All information obtained from books, records, or reports required pursuant to this part shall be kept confidential by all employees of the Department of Agriculture and of the Board, and by all contractors and agents retained by the Board, and only such information so furnished or acquired as the Secretary deems relevant shall be disclosed by them, and then only in a suit or administrative hearing brought at the direction, or upon the request, of the Secretary, or to which the Secretary or any officer of the United States is a party, and involving this Plan. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit:

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

(b) 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.

[56 FR 40230, Aug. 14, 1991]