The two law firms that negotiated settlements from Tyson Foods Inc, Pilgrim’s Pride Corp, and other major processors alleging collusion in pricing, have submitted fee requests to the Court amounting to $59.7 million with $8.8 million as reimbursement for expenses. The civil case is grinding steadily through the courts and has now exceded five years under litigation.
An interesting outcome will be whether AgriStats or its then owner Elanco Animal Health settle or go to trial. Given that a number of major defendents have negotiated settlements, it is inevitable that smaller integrators will seek accommodations since defending the action involves ever growing costs dilutes the effectiveness of management in addition to reputational loss.