Anyone in Canada who has purchased beef since 2015 may soon be eligible to get a piece of an almost $8-million national settlement after an agreement was reached with two of the largest beef companies in North America over alleged price fixing .

National Beef Packing Company LLC, together with four subsidiaries of multinational company JBS NV, the largest meat processing enterprise in the world, including JBS Canada ULC, reached proposed settlements in the Canadian beef class actions, said CFM Lawyers LLP, Strosberg Wingfield Sasso LLP and Belleau Lapointe LLP, the firms representing the class members.

Similar class actions continue against Cargill Inc. and Tyson Foods Inc.

The class actions allege price fixing and related conduct in the sale of beef and beef products in Canada, excluding those purchased from the food service industry.

The actions were started in British Columbia and Quebec, but they include Canadian residents in all provinces and territories.

The lawyers said JBS has agreed to pay about $7.5 million and National Beef has agreed to pay $495,000 for the benefit of class members. The companies have also agreed to cooperate with plaintiffs in their pursuit of claims against the non-settling defendants.

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The settlements, which still have to be approved by the courts, are not an admission of liability, fault or wrongdoing by JBS or National Beef.

The courts have also yet to approve a process for the companies to pay the claims. Further information on how to make a claim will come later, lawyers said.

Those looking for more information can visit the settlement website here.

The settlement approval hearings are scheduled in British Columbia on Sept. 10 and in Québec on Dec. 1.

• Email: dpaglinawan@postmedia.com