Fears are growing over the future of one of Ireland's largest poultry producers.
Cappoquin Chickens, which employs 150 full-time and 100 seasonal workers, is one of the largest employers in west Waterford.
It is understood that the company has gone into liquidation.
Cappoquin Chickens has been operating for nearly 50 years, run by generations of the O'Connor family from Cappoquin.
Along with employees from west Waterford and east Cork, the company has cold storage depots in Dublin, Galway and Limerick.
40 chicken growers and ten egg suppliers are dependent on the company surviving.
Earlier this summer, the High Court appointed an interim examiner after being told that the company had sustained losses over the last four years due to higher food stuff costs, cheaper imports from South America and Asia and the outbreak of avian flu.
A company statement showed a deficit of €7m if the company was wound up.
A liquidator has now been appointed and the company will be put up for sale.
It is believed that if an investor is not found in two to three weeks the future of the company is bleak.
A series of meetings between the receiver and union representatives will take place today and workers, their families and farmers are organising a rally at the factory this afternoon.
