Cow sentenced to death after illegally crossing EU border

A PREGNANT Bulgarian cow named Penka faces death by Brussels red tape after wandering across the border into neighbouring Serbia.

The cow strayed out of EU territory from the village of Kopilovtsi, but was returned to grateful farmer Ivan Haralampiev.

Mr Haralampiev was left distraught when Bulgarian officials told him that Penka had to be killed because of strict EU food safety rules, despite being given a clean bill of health by vets.

“It is not for us to decide. We are only implementing rules that come from Brussels,” said Lyubomir Lyubomirov, a veterinary expert.

The European Commission was yesterday made aware of Penka’s plight but were cautious to grant mercy.

John Flack, the Conservative MEP, has written about the issue to Boyko Borissov, the prime minister of Bulgaria, and Antonio Tajani, the president of the European Parliament.

Mr Flack said: “Surely this is a case where pragmatism should prevail over a strict reading of the rules.”