Unable to resolve U.S. government anti-trust concerns, Brazil's JBS S.A., Sao Paulo, said it terminated discussions to buy National Beef Packing Co., a unit of U.S. Premium Beef LLC, Kansas City, Mo. The two sides had reached an agreement on March 4, 2008. U.S. Dept. of Justice officials later filed an anti-trust suit on October 20, 2008, to block the deal.
JBS said it will continue to pursue further efficiencies at its other U.S. operations, which include eight beef slaughter plants, three pork slaughter plants, one case-ready facility and one lamb slaughter operation.