Chocolate Industry Lobbies on Farm Bill

The firm will lobby on the farm bill, food legislation and cocoa growing and production in West Africa, according to the form posted online Nov. 13 by the Senate's public records office.

Among the nine members of the association, which represents more than 90 percent of the chocolate processed in the U.S., are Hershey Co. and Archer Daniels Midland Co.'s cocoa unit.

Paul Brathwaite, former executive director for the Congressional Black Caucus, and John Scofield, former communications director for the House Appropriations Committee, are registered to lobby for the Vienna, Va.-based trade group.

Under a federal law enacted in 1995, lobbyists are required to disclose activities that could influence members of the executive and legislative branches. They must register with Congress within 45 days of being hired or engaging in lobbying.