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The document analyzes the South African beef industry's 'system of provision' to argue that current 'market-centred' transition policies—which prioritize growth and technical intensification—fail to address deep-seated inequalities and the vulnerabilities of farm workers and smallholder farmers. It highlights the industry's high greenhouse gas emissions and the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized producers. The authors advocate for a transformative just transition that integrates labor reform, agrarian reform, and a shift away from corporate-led governance toward democratic, socio-ecological sustainability.