The EU Commission conditionally clears a merger in the wines and spirits industry (Pernod Ricard / Allied Domecq)

"Mergers — Main developments between 1 May and 31 August 2005"* The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Allied Domecq plc by Pernod Ricard SA. The Commission’s clearance is conditional on the sale by Pernod Ricard of the Scotch whisky brands ‘Glen Grant’, ‘Old Smuggler’ and ‘Braemer’ and the Portuguese brandy brands ‘1920’ and ‘CR&F’. It is also conditional upon the termination of certain distribution agreements