AGRICULTURE

Hearings Ordered on Orange Quotas: Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy has called for changes in the scandal-plagued quota system for California and Arizona oranges and lemons, and extended a suspension of the system indefinitely. Espy ordered hearings and said an overhaul is needed in light of lawsuits accusing dozens of citrus shippers and the giant cooperative Sunkist Growers Inc. of cheating on quotas. He said that in principle he favors such quotas, or marketing orders, which allow growers to withhold fruit from the market to prevent gluts and shortages. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors offered to settle the lawsuits for the shippers, who pay a penalty of 15 cents for each carton shipped illegally. Sunkist reiterated its position that it is innocent and refused the offer.