Badger cull zone injunction – read the detail
The NFU has published a copy of the injunction which details the measures which will be put in place to protect farmers participating in the pilot badger cull from any unlawful acts.
The injunction was obtained in the High Court on Thursday (22 Aug) under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
The document outlines how protesters will not be able to enter onto any privately owned land within the cull zones without the express or implied permission of the owner or lawful occupier – excluding any rights of way.
It will also be unlawful for activists to make any abusive or threatening communication either orally, by telephone, email or in writing to ‘protected persons’.
Protected people include any farmers and landowners in the cull zones taking part in the cull, plus contractors carrying out the cull and employees of the NFU.
Repetitive communications via telephone calls or via social networking sites will also breach the rules unless the recipient has given their consent.
The injunction, which will run until at least 6 Sept, also outlines how protesters must not carry out any activity designed to disturb badgers or wildlife or farmers involved in the cull.
It rules out the use of bright lights between the hours of 6.30pm and 6am for these purposes and also says that excessive noise on or within 25m of any privately owned land within the cull zone using megaphones or vuvuzelas will put protesters in breach of the injunction.
Read the full injunction on the NFU website (PDF).
NFU welcomes order to protect badger cull farmers