The vaccination process has begun at the Karan Beef Heidelberg Feedlot as part of efforts to contain the recent foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Gauteng. Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuizen is set to visit the site on Monday to monitor progress as the government ramps up its response to the disease, which has already driven up beef prices across the country.
Over 900,000 Vaccine Doses Arrive from Botswana
More than 900,000 FMD vaccine doses from the Botswana Vaccine Institute have been imported to tackle the outbreak. The disease has disrupted beef supply chains, contributing to significant price hikes. According to Statistics South Africa, beef product prices surged between 6.2% and 11.9% in April alone. In May, steak prices rose by 4.5%, stewing beef by 2.2%, and beef mince by 1.7%.
Vaccination Underway at Key Feedlots
Dr. Dirk Fairvood, senior feedlot veterinarian, confirmed that vaccinations began on Saturday, with the first phase targeting 30,000 market-ready cattle at the Heidelberg facility.
“We expect to complete vaccinations by Monday, 23 June. If no new clinical signs appear within 14 days, the first slaughter date for this group is projected for 9 July,” said Dr. Fairvood.
A second vaccination drive is also underway at the Karan Beef Nigel feedlot, where 14,000 cattle are being inoculated. This process is expected to take a week, with a tentative completion date of 29 June.
Minister Calls for Public Support
Minister Steenhuizen has urged consumers to continue purchasing beef, emphasizing that FMD does not affect humans and that South African red meat remains safe to eat.
“The outbreak has reduced beef supply, pushing prices up. Supporting farmers by buying beef now is crucial as we work through vaccinations and quarantine measures,” he said.
Smallholder Farmers Struggle with Biosecurity Rules
Meanwhile, Agri Mahanjan, founder of the National Emergent Red Meat Producers Organisation, highlighted challenges faced by small-scale farmers due to strict biosecurity regulations.
“If farmers cannot trace their livestock’s movement, they struggle to sell them, leading to financial strain,” Mahanjan explained. He called for stronger collaboration between government and agricultural stakeholders to improve disease control while ensuring fair market access for smallholders.
Looking Ahead
The government remains focused on both immediate containment and long-term disease prevention to restore South Africa’s FMD-free status. With vaccinations progressing, officials hope to stabilize beef supplies and curb further price increases in the coming weeks.
