Bullfighting

Plans by the Balearic government to ban bullfighting have hit a brick wall... and they are going to have to go back to the drawing board. Their animal welfare law effectively banned bullfighting but it also could be seen to be taking aim at other events involving animals such as the Minorca horse festival, which is hugely successful. The government in Madrid is deeply opposed to any sort of ban but it was included in the Balearic government’s election manifesto. So what next... it appears that bullfighting can continue here until at least next year when new legislation is expected to be introduced. Now, there are mixed views over bullfighting on the island; some say that it is part of Spain’s culture, others claim that it is barbaric and should be banned. In all the years I have lived in Spain I have never been to a bullfight and I am certainly not going to start now. However, I do believe that it is a Spanish issue. It is for the Spanish to decide whether or not bullfighting continues. In some ways the battle over whether it should be abolished pitches the new Spain against old Spain. There is now a big anti-bullfighting movement across the country which stages protests outside all bullfights. Now, times have changed. Until recently bullfighting was shown on Spanish television but it continues to draw the crowds especially on the mainland. The Balearic government is going to have to work long and hard if it wants a ban.