As far as we know NGIN/GM WATCH - recently named in The Times Higher Education Supplement (the main newsprint for UK universities) as part of a campaign of physical and mental abuse of GM researchers - is not listed among the "green terrorists" at the centre of the court action below.
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Bayer staff win protection over GM protests
By Nikki Tait, Law Courts Correspondent
December 31 2003
Financial Times
http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1071251842298

The homes of thousands of employees of Bayer, the chemicals group, are to be protected from protesters opposed to genetically-modified crops by special exclusion zones.

This marks the first time that anti-harassment laws have been invoked in the furore over GM foods.

A High Court judge on Tuesday granted a wide-ranging interim injunction, which will create exclusion zones around employees' homes - ranging from 100 yards in most cases to a square kilometre in one - as well as around corporate buildings.

The order, which will run until a further court hearing on February 11, puts severe restrictions on the permitted protest activity by certain named campaigners and anti-GM organisations, and requires them to notify the police in advance. It also curtails photography and video footage of employees and clamps down on certain e-mail activity.

Bayer, which owns Aventis CropScience, is one of the leading GM players in the UK. Lawyers seeking the order on behalf of employees of Bayer and eight of its subsidiaries claimed there had been a sustained campaign against the group, ranging from e-mail "blockades" to site and office "invasions".

They cited as examples the damage done to cars parked in one employee's driveway last month, and also the jamming of company locks.

Tim Lawson-Cruttenden, appearing for the claimants, told Mr Justice Treacy that the injunction was particularly necessary because a planned "week of activity" started on Monday. "I am satisfied that this is a case where it is appropriate to grant an interim injunction," said the judge, although he refused some provisions sought, such as the protection of former employees. Protection of on- site contractors - such as security guards or catering staff - will also only come into force if a further witness statement is provided this week.

None of the named protest organisations - which include Stop Bayer's GM Crops, Leeds Earth First, Bayer Hazard, Earth Liberation Front and Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty - nor the six individual defendants were represented in court.

Bayer's success in getting an injunction marks a growing use of anti-harassment laws by companies keen to protect themselves.
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Extra protection for GM food workers
Evening News, January 1, 2004 12:06

A LANDMARK High Court ruling has offered employees of a major city company extra protection attacks from GM food protesters.

Bayer Plc, parent company of Aventis CropScience, has taken the unusual step of asking for homes of its 300-strong workforce to be out-of-bounds to groups opposed so-called Frankenstein foods.

It is the first time Britain's anti-harassment laws have been invoked in the furore over GM crops.

Bayer, based in Sweet Briar Road, Norwich, is a leading exponent of GM science, locally and nationally and bosses fear its employees could be targeted by "green terrorists".

The High Court order creates exclusion zones of up to a square kilometre around the homes of key employees.

Today, a spokesman for Bayer plc said the new exclusions zones were designed to protect the company's Norwich premises and the homes of senior executives - which had in the past been targeted by protesters.

The order, sought by Bayer plc will run until February 11, when there will be a further court hearing.

It means named campaigners and anti-GM organisations are severely restricted in the type of protest they can carry out; and they have to notify the police first.

It also curtails photography and video footage of employees and clamps down on information available on the internet.

A spokesman for Bayer plc said: "Recent events at a number of our sites together with some very unpleasant activities at the homes of several of our staff have taken us to this course of action.

"The safety and security of our staff is a company priority."

The injunction was issued by the High Court of Justice under the Protection from Harassment Act of 1997.

It is designed to protect Bayer employees and allow them to work without harassment at company premises, as well as protecting their homes.

A spokesman said: "Bayer respects totally the rights of groups or individuals to promote the discussion of current issues of general interest, such as GM organisms, but wishes to ensure that any protesting activity stays within the law and does not involve the harassment or intimidation of its employees."

In July 1999 anti-GM protesters caused havoc at a farm near Dereham.

Lord Peter Melchett, executive director of Greenpeace, and 27 Greenpeace supporters, attacked a field of GM crops; the Norfolk peer and eco-warrior wanted to make a point to Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The protesters pulled up maize crops at the farm owned by William Brigham at Lyng, because they feared pollen from the crop would be spread into the countryside at the risk of human health and the environment.

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