The decision, long sought by lawmakers from Delaware and the mid-Atlantic region, is considered a win for the U.S. poultry industry, which has been particularly affected by India's restrictions. The industry estimates poultry meat exports to India could exceed $300 million annually once the ban is lifted. India has 60 days to appeal the ruling.

"This victory affirms the administration's commitment to ensuring WTO members play by the rules, and that America's farmers, workers and businesses get the fair shot they deserve to sell made-in-America goods under WTO rules," U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman said in a statement Tuesday.

India banned poultry imports and other agriculture products in 2006, according to the office of the U.S. trade representative. The stated purpose was to prevent the spread of the viral disease avian influenza, even though the U.S. hasn't seen an outbreak of the highly pathogenic disease since 2004, federal officials said. The only other type of avian flu detected in the U.S. since then was a low-pathogenic strain, which does not support an import ban.

"Even though India is a growing country with a rapidly expanding middle class, millions of low-income Indian consumers are being denied an affordable source of quality animal protein that the U.S. poultry industry could provide, given the opportunity," said Mike little, director of export sales at Mountaire Farms in Selbyville, Del., and chairman of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council.

A WTO dispute settlement panel took up the issue when consultations between the U.S. and India — the U.S. requested them in 2012 — proved unsuccessful. The panel agreed with the U.S. that India's ban breached numerous international trade rules. U.S trade officials believe the ruling will help them make a case against other trade barriers they consider arbitrary.

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