Catalonia bans bullfighting

[philw]

wow..   never thought this would happen

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/07/28/2967004.htm?section=world

Catalonia has become the first mainland area in Spain to ban bullfighting, after a heated parliament debate in Barcelona ended with a vote of 68 to 55 in favour of the law.

It is the first time bullfighting has been banned in mainland Spain, with the legislation to take effect in 2012.

The bill was the result of a popular petition backed by 180,000 signatories.

Bullfighting has been a traditional sport in Spain for centuries.

Last year close to 4,500 were fought to death by matadors in public arenas.

"There are some traditions that can't remain frozen in time as society changes," said Josep Rull, member of parliament for the Catalonian nationalist party.

"We don't have to ban everything but the most degrading things should be banned."

Nine politicians abstained from voting in the debate in which animal activists concerned about the suffering of the bull argued against those who revere what they see as a bastion of Spanish culture steeped in colourful history.

Animal rights activists have pledged to spread the ban throughout the country.

'Not cruel'

Highly ritualised bullfighting, in which the torero and his entourage use capes, lances and darts to subdue the bull and then kill it at close quarters with a sword, was made illegal in Spain's Canary islands in 1991.

For bullfighters and aficionados, the ring becomes a moving display of fear and courage.

"It's not a cruel show. Completely the opposite. It's a show that creates art," renowned bullfighter Serafin Marin said.

"You get feelings and a fight between a bull and person, where the person or the bull can lose their life."

Some politicians cited Spain's ongoing economic crisis as a reason to keep bullfighting alive.

A report by an industry group that lobbied against the ban said 100 million euros of tickets to bullfights are sold annually in France and Spain.

It projected rising unemployment benefit payouts for Catalonia's government when bullrings shut.

The bullfighting industry includes manufacturing of the elaborate suits as well as specialised breeding of bulls, which can cost up to 10,000 euros apiece.