Press releases

Press Release - Paris, 9 December 2005

Pernod Ricard has today agreed to dispose of its approximate holding of 51 million shares in BRITVIC plc in connection with the proposed listing of that company on the London Stock Exchange on 14th December 2005.

The announced price of 230 pence per share will generate a gross amount of approximately £ 117.3 million (€173.6 million).  Prior to this sale, Pernod Ricard received an exceptional (1) dividend of £ 23.4 million (€ 34.6 million), at the end of November 2005.

Thus, Pernod Ricard will receive close to € 210 million from this disposal which will be used to reduce Group debt.

It should be noted that the investment in BRITVIC plc was acquired by Pernod Ricard as part of the Allied Domecq purchase earlier this year.

In respect of this transaction, Patrick Ricard stated: “the prompt disposal of our minority shareholding, achieved on very good terms, is excellent news and enables us to accelerate the repayment of our debt”.
“All my very best wishes to the new Board and Management of BRITVIC for their continued success and its stakeholders for the new step they are taking today”, he added.

(1) It should be noted that, Allied Domecq received in May 2005 an initial exceptional dividend of
£ 44.9 million (€ 66.5 million).

The securities mentioned herein have not been, and will not be, registered under US Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and may not be offered  or sold in the United States (as such terms are defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) unless they are registered under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from registration.

For more information, please contact:
Francisco de la VEGA, Communications VP, Tel: +33 (0)1 41 00 40 96
Patrick de BORREDON, Investor Relations VP, Tel: +33 (0)1 41 00 41 71
Florence TARON, Press Relations Manager, Tel: +33 (0)1 41 00 40 88
or visit our web site at www.pernod-ricard.com