Negotiations between the London Board for Shechita and the Federation of Synagogues are continuing in an effort to avert a deepening rift over the supply of kosher meat to London.

The Federation has rejected claims that the launch of its new meat range two weeks ago is in conflict with its membership of the LBS.

After a three-hour meeting last Friday, the two organisations issued a joint statement to say that "the first session of confidential discussions… was both amicable and constructive".

On Monday, Stephen Pack, president of the United Synagogue - which runs the LBS jointly with the Federation and Spanish and Portuguese Jews' Congregation - told members of his council: "Though it is a little bit early to predict the overall outcome, I think everybody's talking and hopefully we can come up with a positive and successful resolution to the issues."

The Federation says its new "mehadrin" meat label is targeted at strictly Orthodox consumers as a cheaper alternative to Kedassia, the kashrut arm of the Union of Orthodox Hebrew Congregations, and is not in competition with the LBS.