Africa’s largest beef producer, Karan Beef, is grappling with a devastating foot-and-mouth disease outbreak that has now spread across all three of its major feedlots, despite what the industry considers some of the continent’s most stringent biosecurity protocols.
The crisis began weeks ago when the company’s massive and highly biosecure Heidelberg feedlot in Gauteng tested positive for the disease. Since then, the infection has spread to both the Nigel feedlot, also in Gauteng, and the Albert Falls facility in KwaZulu-Natal, effectively placing the entire operation under quarantine.
“Confirmed positive cases have been detected at all three of our feedlots,” said Anso Bracken, Karan Beef’s marketing manager, in a statement to Novus Media.
Mysterious transmission baffles industry leaders
The outbreak has left industry experts puzzled, particularly given that infected animals had been in the company’s care for 100 days before showing clinical symptoms—well beyond the typical incubation period and standard quarantine protocols.
All Karan Beef’s feedlots have the strictest biosecurity measures in place – quarantines and vehicle and human disinfection.
Growing suspicion points to the possibility that the virus may have been transmitted through the air from surrounding infected areas, though this has not been officially confirmed.
Massive economic impact
The implications for South Africa’s red meat industry are significant. Karan Beef employs 3 600 people and operates three feedlots, two abattoirs, and one distribution centre that process approximately 550 000 cattle annually for both local and export markets. The company sources cattle from commercial farmers and an increasing number of small-scale livestock producers.
“Production from the affected feedlots has been significantly disrupted, as no cattle may be moved from these sites. This has resulted in a notable reduction in throughput and placed strain on our broader supply chain,” stated Bracken.
Government responds with emergency measures
The government has moved quickly to address the crisis. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announced the procurement of R72-million worth of vaccines in early June, with 500 000 of the planned 900 000 vaccines arriving just 10 days later under police guard.
On 13 June, the Department of Agriculture published critical regulations designed to prevent animal-to-animal transmission at borders, farms, transport corridors, and auction sites.
DA National Spokesperson Willie Aucamp has called for urgent implementation of comprehensive disease control measures, emphasising that “winning the fight against foot-and-mouth disease is essential for South Africa’s red meat industry.”
“What is needed is coordinated surveillance, and physical interventions to prevent the spread of the disease to unaffected animals, and to vaccinate at-risk animals to prevent them contracting the disease,” Aucamp stated.
The DA has particularly praised the creation of sophisticated traceability systems through the new regulations, calling traceability “non-negotiable” in the fight against the disease.
Industry reassurance
Despite the outbreak, authorities have emphasised that red meat in South Africa remains safe to eat, a message considered critical for maintaining consumer confidence during the crisis.
The foot-and-mouth situation represents the most significant challenge to South Africa’s red meat industry since the major outbreaks of 2019, which had severe economic impacts on the sector.
Karan Beef remains in close communication with relevant authorities and has committed to containing the outbreak while maintaining regulatory compliance across all operations.
