The new chair of Meat & Livestock Commercial Services Limited (MLCSL) is George Lyon, a former Scottish MEP and a past-president of NFU Scotland.
MLCSL which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), is best known for the independent carcase classification and dressing inspection service it provides to red meat abattoirs across the UK, against which pig, sheep and beef producers are paid deadweight for their stock.
“George has a very strong financial background and a good understanding of the livestock industry,” said AHDB CEO, Jane King, adding that his appointment will ensure that MLCSL remains clearly on the AHDB agenda.
Mr Lyon said the business faces challenges from the continuing rationalisation in the slaughter sector and the need to innovate in the face of competition from technological advances, such as VIA (video image analysis).
“The Board and management team are focused on the profitability and the longer term sustainability of the business,” he said.