IFA blames cheap imports for Cappoquin collapse
Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) representatives warned the entire poultry industry faces a similar fate as Cappoquin Chickens if lax labelling laws which allow cheap foreign imports to be passed off as Irish are not addressed.
More than 240 jobs will be axed after desperate attempts to save a debt-ridden company failed, it was revealed today.
The Waterford-based firm was forced to shut after rescue bids broke down.
"These imports are the main reason that Cappoquin is gone," said IFA poultry chairman Ned Morrissey.
"They do not meet the stringent welfare and environment regulations that Irish producers adhere to."
The company, which is one of Ireland's oldest poultry processors, went into liquidation last month after it revealed massive losses of up to €7m.
Hopes were high that negotiations with English-based poultry firm Derby Poultry would result in a takeover, however two week-long negotiations collapsed.
A co-operative of chicken growers and producers in the south-east was also unsuccessful in its attempts to secure investment for the beleaguered company.
Mr Morrissey said it would be some time before the full effects of the closure were felt in the local area.
"It's like the funeral of a person who had been battling a terrible illness over the last couple of weeks," he said.
"It's a sad, sad day."
The IFA representative advised consumers to ensure they are buying chicken produced in Ireland.
"The conditions that apply in countries such as Brazil and Thailand bear no resemblance to the strict controls that operate here," he said.
"Consumers should be aware of the huge gulf in standards between fully traceable, quality-assured Irish chicken and what is imported."
Fine Gael deputy John Deasy accused the Government of failing to intervene in the rescue bid.
"The situation that has unfolded over the past few weeks has not been assisted in any way by this Government," he said.
"I had asked Tánaiste Mary Coughlan and the Government to become proactively involved in the situation at Cappoquin.
"But as is evident from the letter from the Tánaiste's office on September 12, there has been no recent Government involvement at any level in attempts to save the 250 jobs at Cappoquin."
Waterford Labour TD Brian O'Shea called on the Government find alternative jobs for the Cappoquin workers.
"There is an urgent need now, for the government to mobilise the resources that are already at its disposal to assist people in training and up-skilling in west Waterford," he said.
"The Government must pull together a co-ordinated response, through FÁS, the education sector and other agencies to start responding to this need."
Local Sinn Féin councillor David Cullinane said the news was a massive blow to the entire region.
"The impact this closure will have on the entire west Waterford region cannot be understated," he said.
"This is devastating for the workers and their families and for suppliers solely dependent on the plant.
"The Government must immediately act to provide assistance to those who have lost their jobs and create alternative employment in the area."
