HUNTON&

WILLIAMS	Hunton & Williams LLP

RIVERFRONT PLAZA, EAST TOWER

951 EAST BYRD STREET

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23219-4074

TEL 804 - 788 - 8200

FAX 804 - 788 - 8218

THOMAS G. SLATER, JR.

DIRECT DIAL: 804-788-8475

EMAIL: tslater@hunton.com

FILE NO: 27120.002012
June 5, 2003

Via E-Mail

Nine B. Hale, Esq.

United States Department of Justice

325 Seventh Street, N.W.

Antitrust Division, Suite 500

Washington, DC 20530

Re:	U.S. v. Smithfield Foods, Inc. (Case No. 1:03CV00434)

Dear Ms. Hale:

Following up on our correspondence and discussions regarding depositions of various officers of the Smithfield family of entities, we have confirmed that the following individuals identified in your letter of May 19 are available on the dates listed below:

Daniel G. Stevens	July 2, 2003

C. Larry Pope	July 3, 2003

Lewis R. Little	July 9, 2003

Robert A. Slavik	July 11, 2003

We would propose that these depositions be held at our Norfolk, Virginia office which is located at 500 East Main Street, Suite 1000 (SunTrust Center) in Norfolk. Although the Federal Rules limit the depositions to a total of seven hours (Rule 30(d)(2)), it is our hope that the depositions will not consume a full seven hours. Accordingly, if you could tell us the approximate amount of time you anticipate needing for each of the depositions, we would be most grateful.

Lastly, we would be happy to make arrangements for a court reporting service that our Norfolk litigation group has used regularly and found to be quite reliable (Adams Harris Court Reporters).

Nina B. Hale, Esq.

June 5, 2003

Page 2

I look forward to hearing from you regarding the proposed schedule listed above.

Sincerely,

"/s/"

Thomas G. Slater, Jr.

tgs/cls

cc:	Alexander Hewes, Esq.

Jessica K. Delbaum, Esq.

Kevin Arquit, Esq.

R. Noel Clinard, Esq.