Seven years after a single outbreak of avian flu at a Virginia farm, China is lifting a ban on poultry imports from the state. Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) announced China’s decision to lift the ban, saying that it could boost the state’s poultry exports by $20 million or more a year, reports the Washington Post.

China imposed the ban in 2007 after turkeys at a farm in Virginia tested positive for avian flu. Virginia officials have been working since then to convince China that the case was isolated and that the “low pathogenic” strain discovered did not pose a risk to humans or poultry. The effort started with then-Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) and continued with his successor, Robert F. McDonnell (R), before concluding under McAuliffe.

“This is outstanding news for Virginia’s poultry industry and the many related businesses that work to move product from our family farms into the global marketplace,” McAuliffe said in a written statement. “Strengthening Virginia’s economy is my number one priority and the lifting of this ban is certainly good news for Virginia’s economy.”

Source: Washington Post