AHDB to transfer meat classification business to HallMark

AHDB is in advanced talks with private business HallMark Veterinary Compliance Services about taking over its commercial meat classification subsidiary.

The levy body said the move was necessary to secure the long term future of independent classification services for farmers across Great Britain and was in response to a challenging business environment and the need to respond to new technology classification systems such as VIA.

AHDB believes that by moving the business, Meat and Livestock Commercial Services Limited (MLCSL), into the private sector with a company that has a strong track record of delivering independent services to the meat industry, it will open up opportunities for greater efficiencies and synergies. These would not be possible under the current public ownership model and secure the future of the business, which has a turnover of £4 million, it said.

AHDB has undertaken a year long process to identify suitable companies that met robust criteria set down by the AHDB Board, including value for money, track record of delivering independent verification services to the meat industry and commitment to the long term future of the business.

After an exhaustive bidding process involving a large number of interested parties, AHDB said it has has now moved to the final phase of negotiations with HallMark and it is hoped that a deal will be completed by the summer.

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