The German parliament approved the lifting of the ban on British beef yesterday, but on condition that a labelling system is put in place so consumers can see what they are buying.
All British beef coming into Germany will now have to carry the mark XEL to show it has come from the UK.
The main concern among German politicians and consumer groups has been that people can have the choice of what meat to buy though knowing its origin.
The Health Minister, Ms Andrea Fischer, had initially demanded that the labelling system be so comprehensive a person buying a pizza would be able to tell whether the topping had been made from British beef.
The victory for British farmers will boost spirits more than sales - Germany imported only around 100 tonnes of British beef before the ban, less than 2 per cent of national consumption.
The European Union ordered member-countries to lift the ban last year but Germany and France refused. Germany's move leaves France isolated as the only European Union country to maintain the four-year ban on British beef.
The decision was immediately welcomed by the British government and farmers' representatives. The Agriculture Minister, Mr Nick Brown, said it had taken some time but the government was "grateful" to the federal government for upholding EU law.
And with pressure mounting on France to follow suit, and lift its ban on British beef imports, Mr Brown said Germany's decision served to highlight France's isolation in the face of court action.
"We are pleased that the ban has been lifted," Mr Brown said. "I hope the French will now see sense and obey the law."