UK High Court grants Japanese companies injunction on harassment
High Court orders have been granted to a number of UK-based Japanese pharmaceutical companies and their staff under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
High Court orders have been granted to a number of UK-based Japanese pharmaceutical companies and their staff under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
They relate to named individuals and organisations involved in animal rights campaigning to prevent them harassing the claimants' employees, families and those associated with them.
The British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has welcomed the High Court orders. 'Animal research is absolutely fundamental to the development of new medicines to help people suffering from illness and disease,' said Andrew Curl, deputy director general of the ABPI. 'While those who oppose such work have every right to make their views known, many companies and staff have experienced quite unacceptable levels of harassment and attacks. I am delighted that the High Court has granted these orders preventing such activity.'
Recent harassment targeted at some Japanese pharmaceutical companies and previously outlined in the High Court has included fire bombings, assaults on staff, intimidatory visits to staff homes, threatening, offensive and malicious letters and telephone calls, and criminal damage to individuals' property.
The companies who gained the injunction were: ACT Tech UK; Asahi Glass Fluoropolymers UK; Daiichi Pharmaceuticals UK; Eisai; Eisai London Laboratories; F2 Chemicals; Sankyo Pharma UK; Yamanouchi Pharma; and Yamanouchi UK.