Discover Our Roots: The Story Behind

Making a Difference

Our Story

Meat and Livestock Commercial Services Ltd (trading as Meat & Livestock Classification - MLC), established in April 2006, is a pivotal player in the UK meat and livestock industry, continuing the legacy of the Meat Livestock Commission (MLC) from 1967. MLC specialises in providing independent authentication and classification services for carcases, crucial for efficient livestock trading and herd improvement. Our approach, in line with EU standards, involves detailed assessment of carcase characteristics and monitoring carcase presentation, ensuring fair and unbiased valuation in the industry. Upholding the "Quality Standard for the Delivery of Carcase Classification Services in Great Britain," MLC is committed to transparency, trust, and consistency, benefiting the entire supply chain, including both farmers and processors.

Our Expertise

At MLC, we specialise in providing independent, statutory carcase classification and authentication services. Our expertise lies in accurately assessing essential characteristics of livestock such as breed, sex, age, weight, conformation and fat. Additionally, we verify that carcases are presented correctly at the scale, ensuring farmers do not lose money due to improper weight loss. We are committed to enhancing the industry's skills through training in stock selection, carcase specification, and grading techniques. Our proficiency ensures adherence to high standards, reinforcing our role as a leader in ensuring quality and reliability within the meat and livestock industry.

Our Clients

At MLC, our commitment extends to major abattoirs and farmers nationwide. Specialising in precise livestock classification, we aim to ensure fair compensation for farmers and strengthen market confidence. Our strategic partnerships with select abattoirs across the UK offer accessible, independent and reliable services to farmers. Discover detailed information about our widespread service locations and the types of animals processed in our comprehensive directory and interactive map.

Our Mission

“The Value of Independence”, embodies our 55-year dedication to impartiality and trust in the meat and livestock industry. This mission ensures fair pricing, boosts market confidence, and fosters consumer trust, creating a competitive edge for abattoirs and fair compensation for farmers. Our commitment to independence is central to our operations, ensuring accurate classification and valuation of livestock. As the sole national provider of these services, our expertise and trained officers guarantee reliable and impartial classification, making MLC a trusted partner in the industry.

Our Team   

MLC's Senior Management Team, complemented by dedicated staff across the UK, steers the company strategically. The Central Support Department ensures smooth operations in critical areas like finance and IT, while Carcase Classification Officers, led by Operational Managers, maintain our high service standards, embodying our commitment to quality and reliability in the industry.

Our Sister Company

MLC collaborates with HallMark Veterinary & Compliance Services, expanding our service range and expertise. This partnership enhances our ability to deliver comprehensive, independent solutions in the Agrifood industry. Visit HallMark's website for more details on our joint capabilities and client benefits.

Our Values

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Our Values -

We value quality, collaboration, integrity, and openness. We prioritise our people culture and believe that maintaining this culture is key to our success. We are committed to providing high-quality services, empowering our staff to drive the success of our business, and fostering growth and development

Integrity

Trust is paramount in our relationships with field staff, clients, and stakeholders. We act with sound moral judgement and ethical principles and that we do the right thing, no matter who is watching.

Quality

We are driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence in every aspect of services. Our passion for delivering exceptional quality is evident in all that we do.
Collaboration

Collaboration

 Collaboration and partnership with our colleagues, clients and the wider industry are key to our success in delivering tailored solutions.

Openness

We encourage open communication, leading to enhanced performance and continuous improvement.

What people are saying?

  • Simon Gardner, Sales Manager at Lister Communications

    “Partnering with MLC has been a rewarding and enlightening experience. Their dedication to excellence and innovation in the Meat Industry sector is truly commendable. MLC’s proactive approach to integrating advanced IT solutions and their commitment to cybersecurity have significantly enhanced their operational efficiency and service quality. As a provider of comprehensive IT services, we have witnessed first-hand how MLC's forward-thinking strategies and adaptability have set them apart in their industry. Their team's expertise and collaborative spirit have made our partnership not only successful but also a model for effective digital transformation in the veterinary compliance field.”

  • George Taylor QPPL General Manager

    ‘We here at Quality Pork Processors Ltd, are extremely happy with the service provided by MLC.

    The graders based here, and those that provide holiday cover etc, are very professional in every aspect of their roles.

    Also, having a third party, independent classification service on site, gives our suppliers that little bit more comfort and allows them to sleep just that little bit more comfortably than would be the case with a processor that carries out the classification in-house’.