Following talks between the head of Rosselkhoznador, the Russian veterinary authority, Sergey Dankvert, and the US Food Safety negotiator Alfred Almanza, the two sides agreed to consider proposals that include laboratory inspection of meat products for the growth promoter Ractopamine.

The programme for inspection and controls is expected within two weeks, after which exports could resume, according to Rosselkhoznador.

The Russian authorities examined the US proposals and inspected US processing plants last December.

Mr Almanza called on Mr Dankvert to also consider inspecting several US companies producing pig meat without the use of ractopamine with the view of restarting pork exports to Russia.

It is expected that the US delegation will put in an official request to allow pork exports to recommence shortly.