Anger at bus ads

EXPERTS are creating “vegan leather” to end the slaughter of cows.

Facebook billionaire Mark Zuckerberg has teamed up with Hong Kong’s richest man Li Ka-Shing to back Modern Meadow, which grows “cow hide” in a laboratory.

The material will be made using a bioengineered form of yeast brewed to produce bovine collagen – a protein found in the connective tissues of cattle.

US firm Modern Meadow has signed a deal with German chemicals giant Evonik to start production. The company’s first product, called Zoa, can be used for shoes, clothing, luggage, sporting goods or furniture.

Andras Forgacs, founder of Modern Meadow, said: “This is not about creating artificial leather.

“Cows don’t come in the shape of a sofa or a handbag. So we can create a lot of efficiencies.” FACEBOOTS: Zuckerberg A BUS company serving a farming area has been slammed for displaying ads for veganism.

Arriva put an advert on the back of buses with a message about ditching animal products.

Steve Charmley, deputy leader of Shropshire council, tweeted: “Whilst I don’t object to anyone choosing what they eat I really object to Arriva buses running Veganuary adverts in Shropshire, a great county built on agriculture.”

An Arriva spokesman said they worked with an external ad firm, adding: “We are working with the third party to investigate.”