Farmer taken to court over pork scratchings

A council took a local farmer to court over accusations his pigs scratching their backsides caused damage to protected trees.

The case took five separate hearings before the council decided they didn't have enough evidence to proceed against David Sunderland.

Mr Sunderland had been summoned for 22 counts of wilfully damaging trees in a field where 80 of his rare British saddleback pigs were roaming freely.



The investigation began after complaints were made about 27 beech trees that were subject to preservation orders. Council inspectors said bark was dislodged on 22 of them.

But a tree specialist employed by Mr Sunderland, 43, said the damage was done before the pigs entered the field.

Bradford council withdrew its prosecution at the last minute on Monday. A spokesman said it took its legal duties regarding tree preservation orders seriously.

Mr Sunderland, who could have been fined more than £400,000 - £20,000 per tree - said he had fenced off the trees to ensure that his pigs found somewhere else to relieve their itch.