PD outbreak in Norway

Lerøy Hydrotech AS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lerøy Seafood Group ASA and is involved in the production of salmon in the region of Nordmøre. On 5 December 2011, the company reported detection of the PD virus at one of its facilities. Based on the detection of PD in the facility, samples of fish have been taken for PCR analysis from all of the company's other facilities in this region. These samples have now been analysed and the virus has been detected at one other facility. The fish stock at this facility is around 500 tons with a book value of NOK 27 million.

Fish samples have also been taken for PCR analysis from the other aquaculture companies in the region in order to clarify whether this situation has affected larger parts of the region. The results of these tests are expected this week.The company has followed a stringent strategy for prevention of the spread of PD from South to Central Norway and is the main driver behind the establishment of the "Nordmøre model" and the "Stop PD Group" in Central Norway. As such, the aquaculture industry in Central Norway has developed a comprehensive system for monitoring and screening fish in order to detect disease at an early stage.

As part of the company's strategy to fight PD in the region and in order to prevent spread of the disease to other production in the area, the company will discuss the issue with the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and evaluate closing down production at the affected facilities in the next couple of weeks.