The Federation of Synagogues is understood to be on the verge of leaving the London Board for Shechita, the capital’s largest body for licensing kosher meat.

Asked to confirm the information, the Federation said on Monday that a joint statement would be forthcoming but “not out today”.

Sources in the kosher industry told the JC that the organisation would be leaving next month – one said the departure would be “amicable”.

The Board, one of the oldest communal organisations which was founded in 1804, has been jointly run by the Federation, the United Synagogue and the S & P Sephardi Community.

Four years ago the Federation broke ranks to launch a separate initiative, its “mehadrin” meat brand, widely seen as a move to compete against Kedassia in the expanding strictly Orthodox market.

Although the Board initially condemned the manoeuvre, unity held and the three-way alliance continued.

It would not, however, be the first time the Federation has decided to go it alone.

It went independent in the 1980s but not long after it returned to the Board, the United Synagogue quit to start its own meat venture.

Unity was eventually restored in 1993.