US: Pernod lobbied government on trade issues

Pernod Ricard was reported to have spent US$1.3m lobbying the US government on issues including trade with Cuba in the last year.

The figure was reported by The Associated Press, which said that the French wine and spirits company spent $680,000 in the second half of last year and $640,000 in the first half of the year.

In its report, The AP reviewed lobbying reports by Miller and other beer companies from July 1, 2002 to June 30 of this year. The press agency found that Miller Brewing spent US$1.84m. In second place was the country's leading brewer Anheuser-Busch, which spent US$1.49m, while Coors Brewing spent US$360,000.

Pernod joined forces with the Cuban government in 1993 to sell its Havana Club rum globally, except in the US due to the trade embargo with Cuba.

However, Pernod is embroiled with Bacardi in a spat over the rights to the Havana Club name. Both companies claim they have the right to the trademark as a successor to the brand's original owners, the Arechabala family. In 2006, Pernod launched a legal battle against Bacardi after the privately-owned spirits group relaunched a rum called Havana Club in the US. Pernod said Bacardi's product would confuse consumers.

Companies and lobbyists are required to disclose activities that could influence members of the executive and legislative branches under a federal law enacted in 1995.