The Andalusian local government has given the permission for the constitution of 2 new bullfighting schools in Sevilla and Cádiz. There are now 22 bullfighting schools in Andalusia. The government encourages training lessons for “the future bullfighters” to practice bullfighting with young bulls (novillos). This year the Andalusian government has funded these schools with 300.000 euros.

Avila.- On 11 June 2007, the pro-bullfighting lobby organized a benefit bullfight to fund the production and distribution of a DVD and a book to explain the bullfighting issue. These will be distributed at primary and high schools, universities, libraries and other organizations which have a cultural theme or target young people. This material will be sent to Spanish embassies and Consulates around the world.

San Fermín monies

The private channel Digital + reached an agreement to broadcast this year and the Pamplona running of the bulls from 2007 to 2009. Digital + paid 1.300.000 euros to the organizing committee. This year, the budget has come to 3.485.000 euros; 70% goes to bull killers and 30% to bull breeders.

Carmen Calvo, Minister of Culture, who was recently dismissed, is a bullfighting supporter. She recently declared that bullfighting is part of the Spanish culture. She has probably forgotten that culture means “creation” not “destruction” and that some traditions must be abolished as, for example the Spanish Inquisition was. She also declared that she would be delighted if bullfighting was run by the Ministry of Culture and would support this initiative.

The writer Manel Vicent published an article in the newspaper “El País” in which he claims that there is a different Spain, not so dark and traditional, a country socially advanced, clever and progressive and nature-friendly which abhors bullfighting.

A bullfighting parliamentary assembly has been officially set up by a group of MPs of the Socialist and the Popular Parties. Their aim is “to defend and promote the study and spreading of the bullfighting culture and support and collaborate with Public Institutions for the development and protection of this traditional practice”

The Secretary of the Prime Minister answered that bullfighting is deep-rooted in Spain and a complex issue due to its long tradition. Its possible ban would be in contradiction with the feelings of many Spaniards. Obviously our government ignores (or not) that, according to the opinion polls, an overwhelming majority of Spanish people are against bullfighting and want its abolition. Why don’t they hold a referendum on the ban?

Aerial campaign

The French association “Alliance anticorrida” launched an aerial campaign during the Nîmes Festival. A light aircraft with anti-bullfighting advertisements flew over the bullring during the bullfight.

International Anti-bullfighting Summit

The International Anti-bullfighting Summit, organised by the Portuguese animal protection group ANIMAL in collaboration with The League Against Cruel Sports and the Comité Anti Stierenvechten - CAS, took place on the 18th and 19th May in Lisbon, gathering 24 European and Latin American anti-bullfighting organisations. It was an historic moment for the worldwide anti-bullfighting movement. The day before, there was an important and symbolic international anti-bullfighting demonstration, held outside the Lisbon´s bullring, which attracted over 700 supporters.

Among many other decisions and strategies that were established, the Summit decided to establish the Worldwide Network for the Abolition of Bullfighting, to organise an annual International Anti-bullfighting Summit to take place in Europe or Latin America country where bullfighting still exists.

The first American anti-bullfighting town
In May, Baños de Agua Santa, in Ecuador, declared itself an anti-bullfighting town.

Venezuela: Animal Protection Law
Some members of the National Assembly of Venezuela are proposing a new and progressive animal protection Bill which will include the ban on bullfighting in this country.