The company told the panel some of its reasons for paying the ransom earlier in 2021.

The company agreed to pay $12.75 million in this case.

The meat producer also plans to open an R&D development center in Brazil next year.

The effort is part of a settlement agreement between the pork processor and OSHA.

UFCW Local 540 represents 400 people that work at the facility.

André Nogueira and Wesley Batista Filho will share the role of global president of operations.

The two sides are discussing worker safety in the wake of COVID-19 outbreaks at the plant during the pandemic. 

The company makes its meatless breakfast patties and dairy-free cream cheese at the plant.

Employees at the company’s Waterloo, Iowa, facility were evacuated while authorities investigated. 

The company said it still had strong numbers in the meat protein group.