The laboratory was opened by Khalfan Saleh al Naabi, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, reports Oman Daily Observer.

The new laboratory can analyse blood for maternal antibodies in poultry, sensitivity tests for antibiotics and microbiological tests for water and feed.

It will also undertake regular audits of poultry house hygiene, hatchery hygiene and water.

The laboratory will be a great help to plan vaccination schedules based on maternal antibody titres, biosecurity measures and conduct regular audits.

It will also conduct microbiological tests on fresh chilled chicken.

The laboratory is located near the Barka roundabout.