BP failed to observe proper environmental safety procedures during construction of an oil pipeline in Colombia, according to allegations in a case lodged by a group of farmers at the high court in London...A scientific investigation has been commissioned by lawyers acting for 73 Colombian farmers, who are suing BP in the high court in London for allegedly causing serious damage to their land, crops and animals. In the first case of its kind the farmers claim that BP acted negligently and breached a duty of care towards them. They say that BP Exploration Company (Colombia) Ltd worked with [other firms] to construct the 450-mile (720 km) Ocensa pipeline. They allege that this caused extensive erosion and damage to soil and groundwater....In its response to the original claims lodged on behalf of the farmers in the high court BP denies that it acted negligently and that construction of the pipeline has caused long-term damage to the farmers' property.