US and Russia agreed to more meat-trade discussions in coming weeks with the goal of resolving a dispute over meat shipments to Moscow, said a high-ranking Agriculture Department official on Wednesday. "We shared information and both sides have a better understanding of each other's positions," said Agriculture Under-secretary Jim Miller in a statement after two days of meetings.

"Both sides agreed that the work and discussions will continue in the coming weeks with the goal of resolution." Talks were slated to continue in Moscow through Thursday, said USDA.

During the past month, Russia has taken steps which have effectively shut US exporters out of the No 1 export market for poultry and a top-five market for pork. Russia says US processors use excessive amounts of chlorine to kill bacteria in poultry. Russia has said US meat must live up to new safety rules. US officials have stressed that meat exports are safe, and have questioned whether Russia's measures have more to do with protectionism.

Ahead of the talks in Moscow, analysts did not expect a quick resolution. But a Russian business lobby group had expressed optimism on Tuesday that a compromise was possible. There are also signs beef exports could be affected by new rules, starting next month.

Copyright Reuters, 2010