The Bluetongue is a transmissible disease that has the potential for very serious and rapid spread, an actual problem in Spain, and a nightmare to the Veternaries, responsible for its diagnosis and control. It poses a problem to the Adminstration of the cattle raisers too.
This has become of major of public interest and practically in all the mass media. The seriousness of this sickness, as spelt out on list A of the Zoosanitario International Code of the World Organization of Animal Health (OIE), remains justified by its spread inside our borders, as well as by the danger it represents for the national cabin and the unfavorable consequences in the international commercial exchange.
As a result, this quarterly issue of The Bull Tribune , would like to give it special attention, since in a significant way, it has avoided the transportation of " toros de corrida " to different parts of Spain.
The Bluetongue or Ovine Catarrhal Fever is a viral sickness that is ovinus, caprinus and bovinus , as well as other American and European ruminants. It is transmitted through the Culicoides mosquito, small dipterous insects belonging to the Ceratopogonidae Family, extensively distributed throughout the world, with more than 1.250 species. In Spain 54 different species have been described, of which very few they are hazardous to the breeding environment but practically only one, Culicoides Imicola , inoculates the sickness. They develop in manure and purín vacuno ; Unremoved dunghills and uncleaned ditches are excellent breeding grounds.
The dung in the open field rapidly dries up and therefore hostile to the development of larvae. Since they depend on humidity, thier development is favoured by the summer-autumn season, (they propagate along the water bodies) and are very easy to transport at large distances by the wind. In the subtropical climates, like part of the Andalusian coast, the adults can survive the winter. The sickness is triggered as a result of a mosquitoe bite through the skin, which later gets into the blood stream causing fever. It instals itsself in the blood vessels found in the nose and mouth, skin and in the muscule, producing thrombosis and destructive lessions which compromises blood irrigation.
There is also the appearance of swellings and hemorrhages. If in gestation period, provokes miscarriages, abnormality in the central nervous system of the unborn, and if born alive, the young are carriers of the sickness. As a result of dehydration and destruction of muscle, the animal rapidly grows thin, and if not treated , consequently leads to death in 10 days. Recovery is very slow because the virus able to survive in the blood for up to four months. Healthy hygienic and sanitary preventive measures are fundamental to avoid entry of the virus. Quarantine and analytic caution, as well as control of the agents of transmission by means of checks, determine the presence and the activity of the virus. Preventing the disease is based on vaccination, keeping the cattle at in the shed at night, cover the purin or treat them with insecticides and larvicides, disinfection of the shed and of the vehicles that transport the animals.
Source: Veterinary Information, March 2005
ENCIERRO HUMANO IN SAN FERMÍN
Pamplona. - On the 5th of July this year, hundreds of animal activists, some of them in thier underwear, paraded along the streets of Pamplona to protest against bullfighting during the festivals of San Fermín. The initiative, organized by PETA (People for Ethical Treatment towards Animals), was all a success. Hired buses arrived from Germany, France and Italy to Pamplona, their occupants joined the activists from Rioja, Madrid, Aragon, and Catalonia; brought together by diverse pro animal associations that were promoting the proposal.
The demonstrators shouted out "cruel with bulls, cruel with all", "bulls yes, bullkillers no", "the torture neither is art nor culture", "we want the festival of San Fermín, but not the savage killing of bulls". According to the press report, (El País, 6 /07/ 05), the demostration ended barely 50 meters from the alley of the plaza. Squeezed together in the alley and with the accompaniment of a group of Cuban percussionists who come especially to give rhythm to the protest, the demonstrators waited until three oclock in the afternoon to conclude the "Encierro Humano de San Fermín".
Anti-Bullfighting Signatures in Bilbao
Bilbao. - The Collective Anti-Bullfight supporters and Animal Activist of Bizkaia delivered to the General Registratrar of the City Hall, Bilbao 9.000 signatures, that had been collected a week before the beginning of the festivals, normally celebrated at the end of August. Bilbaonians and outsiders likewise, requested the local mayor, Iñaki Azkuna , to put an end to bullfighting plans owed to the festivity of " Aste Nagusia " and declare La Villa an Anti-Bullfighting City, which was denied. |
The Animal Activists however, continued collecting signatures in the arena, adding them to the 20,000 signatures obtained in the 2004. They will present them to the Basque Parliament this autumn, with the aim of promoting the establishment of a new Law of Animal Protection, abolishing Bullfights in the Euskadi Region. Also demonstrations were called for the 21 and 26 of August, infront of the Bullring/Plaza. A success for Animalistas Activists. |
Successfull Anti-Bullfighting demonstration in Barcelona
Barcelona. - After various demonstrations in Tordesillas, Bilbao, Pamplona and Tarragona, Barcelona offered all its support to the demonstration organized by LIBERA and PACMA along with ADDA to end the bullfights in the neighbouring City and the demolition of the Bullring, Monumental. In a peacefull and passive action, around 600 people responded; a hundred more than in the previous demonstrations. The Parlament of Catalonia as of now has on its table two new legal propositions; which are, endorse 453.000 signatures (to confirm) - for the final abolition of these spectacles.
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Demonstration against "El toro de la Vega
The second Tuesday of September, there is a celebration in honor of "La Virgen de la Peña " in Tordesillas (Valladolid), this festival involves the piercing of a bull to death with the use of spears. The person who gives the bull the mortal strike with his spear is awarded a gold badge and a spear made out of forged iron, courtesy of the City Hall. This cruelty was legitimised by the Board of Castilla and Leon in the year 1999, furthermore, there exists a school of lanceros in the very town.
For many years, defenders of animal rights have tried to put a stop to this barbaric tradition, and this time they have taken a big step forward in reaching thier goal. Both Spanish and foreign animal defenders met last year on the 11th of September 2005 in this town to protest against this "tradition". The representative of ADDA, Eva Diaz, Spokeswoman of the Associations Board and member of the Commission for the Defense of Animals Rights of the School of Law of Barcelona , was present at the meeting. The group of animal activists was more or less numerous, but actively represented a silent majority of thousands of people who were unable to attend, but, had in mind the unjust suffering of animals that, like human beings, feel, suffer, fear and bleed. On behalf of the silent majority, the demonstrators wanted the people of Tordesillas to say "NO to " el Toro de la Vega ", NO to animal abuse" because logically "La Virgen de la Peña" does not feel honored with such spectacles, on the contrary, feels horrified at the limits at which human cruelty can reach". In spite of the fact that the demonstration went on peacefully, bullfighting supporters, taurinos, intimidated those addressing the crowd, causing disturbances, and consequently the intervention of the Civil Guard.
Sources of information: ADDA, PACMA
The Tarragona Bullring during the Start of Season
Tarragona. - Conciding with the beginning of the bullfighting season, Animal Acrivists came together on the 10 of July, 2005 before the local City Hall in Tarragona to demand the absolute abolition of the Bullfighting and the conversion of the Bullring in a multicultural center. According to statements put to the press (Més Tarragona,11/07 /05), accused the Public Adminstration of committing two illegalities. "On one hand; having left underage to enter the plaza the whole of last season.
This is because,the Law that Defends the Rights of the Minor dictates that; a fine of 60.000 Euros be paid, followed by closure of the plaza," but thE Public Administration only made them pay 2,800 Euros - explained the spokesman of the Party Antitaurino against Animal Abuse, PACMA, Miguel Gutiérrez. On the other hand, with the excuse to remodel the bullring, the diputation, breaks the law, and furthermore planning to build a new one.
Besides there was another burning issue among the animal activists. On the 29th of June the representatives asked permission to gather before the Bullring/Plaza of Tarragona, but instead, on the 7th of July, the subdelegación notified them that it was impossible because a platform in favor of Bullfighting had already asked for permission before, commented Gutiérrez. PACMA proclaimed this "prohibition" to the Supreme Court of Justice of Catalonia considering it illegal. Therefore, that very day at the gates of the Bullring/Plaza, members of the Platform for the Defense of the Bullfights collected signatures "to avoid the disappearance of the Bullfighting "fiesta national". In any case, it does not seem like that their "fiesta national" was a triumph, therefore this was the "great success of the public" they obtained at the baginning of that season.
PACMA cancelled a previous demonstration that had been planning for Sunday 8 of May, 2005, since SAROT company had suspended its Bullfighting, probably due to less quorum.
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