WAL-MART SETTLES USDA CHARGES FOR ILLEGAL AVOCADO IMPORTS

   Wal-Mart has settled charges with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for
violating several regulations when it recently imported avocados from
Mexico.
   The USDA says Wal-Mart violated the Plant Quarantine Act, the Federal
Plant Pest Act, and regulations governing the import of Mexican-grown
avocados. The company was fined $45,000 for the violations.
   "USDA is serious about enforcing these regulations and will not tolerate
such actions," said Richard L. Dunkle, deputy administrator for the USDA’s
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. "Shipping imported Mexican Hass avocados against regulations could spread plant pests and jeopardize U.S. agriculture."
   Wal-Mart says that there was no intent to violate the rules and has
cooperated with USDA during the investigation.