The company was placed in administration by the High Court on August 13th 2012 (on the application of Henry Good Ltd. Feed Suppliers, Kinsale, the largest creditor owed €3.9 million), with the appointment of Michael McAteer Grant Thornton as administrator. The company will now operate for 100 days while Mr McAteer assesses the company’s viability.

“The situation in Waterford has not changed; the community is as dependent on Cappoquin Poultry Products as it was in 2008 when it was taken over by the UK based Derby Poultry. It was for this reason that growers stayed in production foregoing the monies they were owed as well as increases that were needed to cover ever increasing costs, to help ensure the viability of the company. It now appears that these efforts may have been in vain.”

Mr Mohan said: “The last time Cappoquin Chickens was placed in this position, imported chicken and the high price of inputs was blamed, the situation is the same today. The vast majority of chicken bought at catering level in hotels and restaurants is imported and therefore it may not meet the same standards as chicken produced in Ireland. All Irish chicken is produced under the Bord Bia Quality Assurance Scheme ensuring the highest standards of quality, food safety and traceability.”

“The fact remains, if Irish consumers want to ensure the future of the Irish chicken industry, they must query the origin of chicken, especially fillets, everywhere but particularly in restaurants and butchers. EU legislation on Country of Origin labelling of fresh meat is coming but not fast enough. Hopefully the communities in Cappoquin and the greater West Waterford/East Cork region will not be made suffer for the delay in this legislation,” concluded Mr Mohan.