But a final decision has been passed onto EU farm ministers.

The BBC's Europe Correspondent David Shukman: British beef is nearly back

The 15-strong Standing Veterinary Committee passed a motion to lift the ban by a vote of eight in favour, five against and two abstentions.

Wednesday's result was narrow enough for the issue to be referred. But ministers are expected to formally end the ban when they meet on 23 November.

The motion was supported by the UK, Ireland, Greece, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Belgium and Denmark.

Agriculture Minister Nick Brown: "It is not my ban, but we are working very hard to lift it"

It was opposed by Germany, France, Spain, Italy and Austria. Luxembourg and Holland abstained.

The ban on exports from England, Scotland and Wales was imposed two-and-a-half years ago over fears of mad cow disease.

Northern Ireland was allowed to export again in March after the province's computerised cattle monitoring system convinced Europe that the spread of BSE had been contained.

UK farmers have a tough job to win back customers

Barring political intervention, ministers are almost certain to approve the export of British beef from cattle born after August 1996, the date when feeding meat and bonemeal to livestock was outlawed.

The move offers some respite to hard-pressed British farmers, but they will face an uphill struggle to rebuild their share of the European beef market.

The UK Government says the vote is a step in the right direction.

Agriculture Minister Nick Brown said: "Hopefully, after the final inspection, we will begin to export as early as next spring."

Rules relaxed

There has also been marked political reluctance to allow British beef back in continental shops.

But the European Commission last week showed it was keen to ease the pressure on British farmers by relaxing its anti-BSE demands.

Recommendations no longer require UK beef for domestic consumption to be de-boned as a prerequisite for the ban to end.

Portugal ban

But the UK must carry out the early slaughter of a further 6,000 potentially BSE-infected cattle, in addition to undergoing abattoir inspections by EU officials before the ban can be lifted.

Wednesday's vote coincides with a European Commission export ban on Portuguese beef and live cattle for that country's failure to implement measures designed to contain the spread of mad cow disease.