£1.3 million freed up for the meat sectors

The carcase-classification service previously run by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has been sold to Hallmark Veterinary Compliance Services with the promise that £1.3 million from the sale proceeds will be reinvested in the UK’s beef, lamb and pork sectors.

“This move will safeguard the longterm future of independent, manual, carcase-classification services in Great Britain,” said AHDB chief executive, Jane King, after the transfer of Meat and Livestock Commercial Services Limited (MLCSL) to Hallmark was approved by Farming Minister George Eustice.

The deal was first announced in March this year, triggering consultation with the industry and the setting up of an oversight committee to ensure the “independence and value for money” of services at abattoirs across the country.

A total of 103 staff will be affected by the move, but no job losses are expected.

Welcoming the conclusion of the deal, Hallmark Chairman, David Peace, said his company was excited about building on MLCSL’s skills and powerful brand.

AHDB added that moving the business into the private sector will create opportunities for efficiencies and synergies that would not have been possible under the previous model.

It also said the deal marked the end of a year-long process which started with the identification of suitable companies that met the “robust criteria” set down by the AHDB, such as value for money and long-term commitment.