A survey full of significance

The lastest Gallup poll shows the increasing decline of support for bullfighting in Spain : 72% of those surveyed declared that they are not interested in bullfighting at all, especially among young people and only 7% stated that they are very much interested in bullfighting. Moreover, in Andalusia, 72% of people are not interested in bullfighting.

To justify what is unjustifiable

On 18th October 2007 two members of the Green Party Francisco Garrido and Joan Oms, deputies of the Socialist Party in the Spanish Parliament, called a meeting with representatives of animal welfare associations to discuss animal rights and the ban on bullfighting. As a consequence of this meeting a Manifesto was wrote calling for the abolition of cruelty and mistreatment towards animals by means of a reform of the Penal Code and the approval of a nation-wide law for the protection of animal rights. We invite our readers to visit their website www.verdes.es and sign the online petition to ban bullfighting.

The reaction of the pro-bullfighting members of the Spanish Parliament was not long in coming and they stated that the so-called “Fiesta de los toros”, is deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of Spain, and an example of intelligence, art, danger, emotions, technique and wisdom.”

In the interests of “culture”

On July 2007 was held in Malaga (Andalusia) a Conference organized by the bullfighting association of Malaga to support its candidacy as European Capital of Culture on 2016.

No more minors in bullfights

The Entertainment Council of the Basque Government approved the proposal of the new regulations of bullfighting in Euskadi (Basque country) which stated that children under 16 years of age will not be allowed to see bullfights without an adult’s supervision.

Housing problems?

The Ministry of Housing will provide funding of 1.500.000 euros (or perhaps more) the restoration of the bullring of Almendralejo, in Estremadura.

Once again public money is being used to fund animal torture. It seems as though the Minister thinks that the housing problems are definitively solved in Spain and that there is money left.

Anti-bullfighting poster for the bullfighting season in Seville

The poster chosen to publicise the bullfighting season in Seville designed by Miquel Barceló has surprised anti and pro-bullfighting supporters.

This poster shows a dying bull with a long spear plunged through his body from side to side.

This poster has been heavily criticized by bullfighting supporters because it demonstrates, much to their regret, the cruelty of bullfighting.

Parliamentary Anti-bullfighting Association

A group of members of the Spanish Parliament has created an anti-bullfighting association to oppose to the pro-bullfighting association created by a group of bullfighting enthusiast deputies.

No legal basis to defend bulls in the E.U.

Former European Commissioner Markos Kiprianou answered to MEP Raul Romeva from the Green Party that according to the Directive 92/19/EC of 22 December, there is no legal basis for the EU to intercede in the “Toro de la Vega”, a cruel festival that takes place every year in Tordesillas (Spain) where a bull is tortured and killed for entertainment.

The Directive states that it shall not be apply to “animals which are killed in cultural or sports events”

Anti-bullfighting campaign in Peru

 Peruvian animal welfare associations have launched a campaign to urge the President of the Parliament and the Commission of Education and Culture to debate the bill nº 00496-2006 proposed by the MP José Urquizo Maggia, which calls for the abolition of bullfighting and cock fighting. The bill also proposes to impose heavy sanctions in case of animal mistreatment.

For further information visit www.alco2.org