Pork Processors Want Court to Inspect Sysco-Burford Funding Deal

Major pork processors want a judge to look into litigation funder Burford Capital Ltd.'s deal with Sysco Corp. to back price-fixing lawsuits against the companies.

Sysco’s arrangement with Burford “raises serious case-management concerns,” JBS USA and Smithfield Foods told the federal judge in Minnesota assigned to the multidistrict litigation. The companies, along with others facing antitrust claims, urged Judge John R. Tunheim to “address” those issues by seeking more information about the terms of the deal.

Burford, which gave Sysco $140 million to pursue antitrust claims against pork and poultry producers, is locked in a public dispute with the company. ...