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Story Notes
Sunday 30th November 2008
The Irish Chicken Industry has been struggling for years and a number of chicken processors have shut down in the near past.
On the Sept 16th 2008, this is exactly what faced Cappoquin chickens as it went into liquidation with the loss of over 200 jobs. The amount of indirect employment lost was unaccounted for. Almost every business, every farmer and every person in the West Waterford area had some involvement, direct or indirect, with Cappoquin Chickens.
However, on Oct 3rd, Cappoquin chickens was bought by new management. For now, the jobs remain - but times ahead remain extremely difficult.
This radio documentary follows Ned Morrisey, a chicken grower from Cappoquin, Co. Waterford as he rears, what appears to be his last batch of chickens.
Ned's current cycle of chickens number about 30,000 and can need 24 hour attention. For Ned and his family, it's not just a job, it's a way of life. But it could all be coming to an end in these times of economic uncertainty. Ned has been rearing chickens for Cappoquin Chickens for almost 17 years now.
The fate of the Irish chicken industry depends largely on us, the consumer, and on our Government. If we don't buy Irish chicken, who will? Many involved in the industry feel that if the government legislated for country of origin labelling on chicken, the consumer would, at the very least, have full knowledge of what they're buying.
It's hard to predict the future, but in the case of chicken, if or when Irish born and bred chicken disappear, it won't just be the chicken that will disappear. The rural communities that have built their livelihoods around producing chicken will also fade away. Cappoquin in Co. Waterford is one such community.
Produced by Liam O'Brien
Story Credits