Source:  Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 1/21/10

The United States and Russia have agreed to extend talks on the latter's de facto ban on U.S. poultry, according to a report by Reuters.

"We shared information and both sides have a better understanding of each other's positions," the report quotes Agriculture Undersecretary Jim Miller as saying. "Both sides agreed that the work and discussions will continue in the coming weeks with the goal of resolution."

The first round of discussions on the dispute began Tuesday in Moscow and reportedly will culminate today. The talks follow Russia's imposition of a ban on imports of poultry treated with chlorine, which effectively barred all U.S. poultry shipments.

Russia also plans to institute new import rules next month. Those could also affect beef imports, according to Reuters.

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