The ban had been in place since May in response to the avian influenza outbreak that infected flocks in western and mid-western US states.

While avian influenza was not reported in any of the US states in the Atlantic flyway numerous states such as Virginia were affected by the ban.

Terry McAuliffe the Governor of Virginia in Oman on a trade and marketing mission recently expressed happiness on the lifting of the ban on poultry imports from Virginia and many other states.

'This is another great win in the international market for Virginia's agriculture industry' McAuliffe stated in a press release. 'As we begin to place a strategic focus on the Middle East I am pleased to open access once again for our poultry producers to a growing export destination. I want to thank Oman's Ambassador to the US H E

Hunaina Sultan al Mughairy and the Government of Oman for working with us and our federal partners at the US Department of Agriculture to end the country's ban on poultry from Virginia. It's steps like these that will keep Virginia agricultural producers competitive in the world market and lead Virginia to become the East Coast capital for agricultural and forestry exports."

Following meetings with senior Oman government officials McAuliffe and Todd Haymore Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry led discussions with several Oman poultry importers regarding the ban being lifted and purchases of significant amounts of poultry products.

Information gathered from these meetings will be shared with Virginia poultry companies producing and exporting halal-certified products and whole birds. Speaking about the lifting of the ban Secretary Haymore remarked 'We understand every country's desire to protect its food supply. However given that Virginia has not been affected by avian influenza and its poultry is among the safest and highest quality in the country we greatly appreciate that Oman recognised our position and lifted its ban on our products.'

In 2014 Virginia poultry producers exported more than US$1mn in products to Oman but by September 2015 Virginia poultry exports to the country were down almost 90 per cent year-to-date due to the import ban.

Total Virginia agriculture and forestry exports to Oman however have increased this year by 117 per cent led by soybean meal exports of more than US$5mn.