The Korea Herald and other media said the South Korean government announced that it will allow Canadian meat from cows younger than 30 months old.
South Korea is the last major beef-importing country to agree to lower its restrictions on Canadian beef, since a 2003 case of mad-cow disease (BSE) in Canada.
Canada is the world's third-biggest beef shipper and in 2002, prior to the ban, South Korea was Canada's fourth biggest beef market.
South Korea also initially banned U.S. beef but later allowed U.S. beef within the 30-month age limit.
Canadian ministers said on Dec. 30 that South Korea had ratified import health requirements for Canadian beef, but several steps remained. Canada's agriculture minister has scheduled a news conference for Friday morning.
Canada complained about South Korea's ban to the World Trade Organization, but suspended its case last year after South Korea said it would resume trade by the end of 2011. (Reuters)
