United States-JBS-Swift and National Beef Packers.

UNITED STATES-JBS-SWIFT CASE.

The appearance will be for a hearing on proceedings in a Department of Justice lawsuit that wants to stop the firm from taking over National Beef Packing Co. (See: D.O.J. to stop JBS acquisition)

Reports state that DOJ attorneys hadn’t received from JBS information regarding a settlement, however a spokesman for JBS was cited as saying that the two sides continue to negotiate.

Ongoing discussions

"The only thing I can tell you is we’re still talking to DOJ. At some point in time - it could be the 29 January, next month or tomorrow - the discussions will stop and offers will be exchanged. We haven’t gotten to that point yet. The conversations between DOJ and [JBS] are ongoing," JBS spokesman Chandler Keys said.

The feds have suggested that JBS divest plants in certain geographic regions to enhance industry competition.

No comment was available from JBS.