Post-mortem on cow 'must be stopped'

ANIMAL rights campaigners have called for the live post-mortem examination of a cow to be dropped from Edinburgh's Science Festival programme.

Edinburgh animal rights group Ethical Voice for Animals (EVA), said the autopsy – which will be carried out by vets at Edinburgh Zoo on 13 April – would be like "going back to the Dark Ages".

EVA is encouraging people to write to the festival director in protest.

A spokeswoman for EVA said it was a "reckless waste of life" and added: "The killing of yet another cow cannot provide any information which has not already been studied and documented."

But a festival spokeswoman said the purpose of the post-mortem was to provide a learning opportunity for young adults with an interest in veterinary science.

She added: "The animal involved will not be slaughtered for the purpose of this event."