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.