Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)

European Parliament votes against funding bullfights

Well done all you folks who took action about this – YOU HAVE WON !

Mark

Over the years Animal Equality has been working to end one of the worst forms of animal abuse in the world: Bullfighting.  We have jumped into bullrings with banners, lowered ourselves from bullring buildings and other bullfighting symbols demanding abolition and launched campaigns and investigations that have gathered international media attention. Just this year we launched an international campaign aimed at the European Parliament demanding an end to EU subsidies to bullfighting. This campaign was different. It had a powerful element. YOU! You supported the campaign by being one of the 120,000 people who demanded the EU to stop funding bull torture. Your voice was heard.

Today, October 28th, the European Parliament decided to ban all subsidies to bullfighting with European funds. As a result, the 2016 European budgets will not include public aid for the breeding of bulls that will later be used in bullfights.

This is a huge victory for animals Mark as it sends a clear message: Bullfighting cruelty doesn’t belong in the European Union. It doesn’t belong to this century. It should be banned. 

Thanks Mark you helped achieve this step forward for animals.

League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) news on the issue:

http://www.league.org.uk/news-and-opinion/press-releases/2015/oct-15/meps-vote-against-bullfighting-subsidies

End of Cash Cow as Europe says ‘no’ to bullfighting subsidies

28 October 2015

Bullfighting faces an uncertain future today after MEPs voted to stop subsidies which support the rearing of bulls for fighting.

In a dramatic vote, 438 MEPs voted to end the £110 million a year pay outs given to farmers raising bulls for fighting in Spain, around £13.5m of which comes from UK taxes.

Tom Southern, Head of Public Affairs for the League Against Cruel Sports, said that the animal welfare charity was delighted – but aware that there were still hurdles to jump.

“People across Europe have spoken today, and it’s a great moment. MEPs from all countries have listened to people who are saying loud and clear – bullfighting is a barbaric and medieval pastime which has no place in modern society. There is no justification for public money propping it up, and we are delighted that MEPs have now voted to end the subsidy.

“The League Against Cruel Sports has been campaigning to end public payments towards the rearing of bulls for fighting for many years, and we would like to thank every MEP that heeded our call today.  This vote will not end bullfighting immediately, but it represents a significant step forward. Members of the European Parliament should be very proud of this decision.”

A similar vote was held last year, but failed to reach the required number of MEPs for the motion to pass. In today’s vote, 199 MEPs voted against the motion, with 50 abstentions. The issue will now move onto the EU Council and Commission, where further discussions will take place.

“Although public opposition to bullfighting has been high for many years, we are starting to see some real political movement on bullfighting now,” added Mr Southern. “The arguments that it is a tradition that should be sustained are being exposed and rejected, including by the Spanish people.”

Last month, a leading travel agent in the UK announced that it will no longer send its customers to the Pamplona bull running festival, after prolonged pressure from League Against Cruel Sports supporters.

ENDS

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http://www.league.org.uk/news-and-opinion/press-releases/2015/oct-15/topdeck-drops-pamplona-holidays-after-league-pressure

Topdeck drops Pamplona holidays after League pressure

16 October 2015

Following pressure from the League Against Cruel Sports, leading 18-30s UK tour operator Topdeck Travel has dropped the Pamplona Fiesta, which centres on the Pamplona Bull Run, from its holiday destinations.

Tom Quinn, Campaigns Director for League Against Cruel Sports said:  “We warmly welcome Topdeck Travel’s decision to stop selling trips to the Running of the Bulls festival in Pamplona, Spain. 

“Tourism plays a major part in the continuation of bullfighting and the exploitation of the animals which are simply being abused and killed for entertainment.  Topdeck has recognised that public attitudes to bull running and bull fighting have changed and has concluded that it is no longer commercially viable to offer holidays which are associated with blood sports.

“All credit to the League’s supporters who have worked so hard to communicate to this travel company that bull running and bullfighting are sickeningly cruel and that these barbaric practices have no place in a modern society.”

The Bull Run is often portrayed as simply a testosterone-rush for party-goers, and a bit of exercise for the bulls, but the reality is very different. Many people attend the Bull Run without realising that it is a precursor for fights in the bull ring, which lead to the inevitable death of the animals.

Each morning bulls are forced to run a kilometre down the cobblestone streets of the town, chased by cheering participants and spectators. Once released, the bulls are frightened with gun shots, electrocuted with cattle prods and kicked and hit by jeering spectators, often down concrete or cobbled streets which they slip and slide on, suffering broken legs and other injuries in the process.

The bulls are chased into a holding pen at the bull ring, to await their deaths at the bullfights, during the ‘corrida de toros’ that take place later that evening. Whilst in the holding pens some may be subjected to further ‘weakening’ which can involve the shaving of their horns (an excruciating process which leaves them disorientated and more sensitive to pain), being debilitated with laxatives, having vaseline rubbed into their eyes to impair vision, and by being drugged.

In front of jeering crowds, the bulls are then tortured and antagonised by the matadors on horseback, waving flags and repeatedly stabbing the confused animals in the neck and back. The injured, bleeding bull, weakened and exhausted, is then killed with a sword by the picador.

If the animal is not killed immediately, it is stabbed repeatedly until paralysed. When the bull finally collapses, its spinal cord is cut, but the animal may still be conscious as its ears and tail are cut off and kept as a ‘trophies’.

Topdeck joins a range of large organisations that have been persuaded by the League Against Cruel Sports to drop their sponsorship or promotions of bullfighting, including STA Travel, Ryanair, Ben & Jerry’s and British Airways.  EasyJet, Thomas Cook and Brittany Ferries are among other operators that have ceased promoting the Pamplona festival. 

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Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, The "Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) ALLIANCE |