United States. JBS-Swift.

BRAZIL.

JBS-SWIFT.

There has been a stay of court proceedings, in the matter of JBS-Swift and the Department of Justice in the United States, over the acquisition of National Beef Packing Co.

The indications from documents filed with the court on Tuesday, are that there may be room for a settlement in the matter.

The deal may be something along the lines of JBS-Swift and National Beef, selling some of the plants to a third party, in order to enhance competition in certain areas.

The wording on the papers filed was, "A settlement opportunity that arose in the last few days could come by way of the two meat packers, selling plants to enhance competition in Department of Justice responded to the news by filing a document stating, " Plaintiffs will need to investigate any serious settlement proposal, to determine whether it would adequately restore the competition, that would be lost if the JBS SA acquires National Beef Packers".

The people in Brazil are certain that a compromise can be reached, in favor of JBS , the fact that the price of the deal looks even more attractive in today’s economic downturn, than it did last July.

From the point of view of National Beef Packers, they will be able to exit the beef industry, as they have shown a strong desire to do.

There are no problems with financing, as the money is in place already located in the United States. Brazils beef exports will be US$5.5 billion for 2008.

Judge Elaine Bucklo, has granted the stay for two weeks, to try and find some common ground.