Meanwhile, the Executive of Isabel Díaz Ayuso takes another step in favor of bullfighting shows with the reform of the . Almost 30 years after Alberto Ruiz Gallardón prohibited in the Community of Madrid practices such as the bull bull – running of the bulls in which the animals carry lit torches in the horns of the Valencian Community – and the enmaromado bull – in which the bull is ties a rope to his head and that he comes from Castilla y León―, the regional government plans to change the regulations and stop considering them “abuse,” which opens the door to its celebration.
In the draft decree, advanced this Thursday by the SER network and which explains that “the Community, in its continuous commitment to the bullfighting festival, intends to promote a new regulation of bullfighting shows” since the time that has passed since The entry into force of the current regulations, from 1996, “advises addressing a new regulation that allows these shows to be improved and enriched, update and reinforce security and prevention measures, and that responds to the principles of people’s safety, respect for local traditions and protection of animals.”
The new regulations have 61 articles, compared to 36 in the 1996 text, which prohibited “those bullfighting shows that involve mistreatment of cattle and, especially […]the shows consisting of bagging cattle […] and the shows consisting of tying the cattle with ropes, ropes or in any other way.” In the new regulations, to the delight of a sector that has been battling for years against the word “mistreatment”, this article is replaced by another more lax one, article 5, which establishes that “any direct action against them will be avoided.” [las reses] that could negatively influence their well-being.” Goodbye to the word abuse, goodbye to prohibition.
Does this mean that it will be possible to celebrate bullfighting and harnessing bulls? “The Ministry is not considering authorizing specifically the bullfighting and maromado in the Community of Madrid,” a spokesperson for the Environment, Agriculture and Interior, on which powers in bullfighting matters depend, responds to this newspaper, adding that “the The decree is in the public consultation and allegations phase, so it is not a definitive text” and that “it has been prepared with the consensus of the bullfighting clubs of the community, with the Madrid Federation of Municipalities and with the rest of the sector.” With the reform, the spokesperson continues, “the aim is to incorporate other shows with historical roots in certain populations as long as they respond to the conditions of respect for animals with veterinary criteria.”
“It isn’t true. The prohibition remains in force and is included in the broader definition included in article 5, which even expands the requirements for animal welfare in popular bullfighting shows”, in response to information from the SER. In this article, neither of the two practices is prohibited. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Culture – in the legislation of the Community of Madrid bullfighting is considered culture – has refused to assess the reform: “As for the regulations, we refer to the Environment.”
It isn’t true.
The ban remains in force and is included in the broader definition included in article 5, which even expands the animal welfare requirements in popular bullfighting shows.
— Carlos Novillo Piris (@CarlosNovilloPi)
Until now, popular bullfighting celebrations without roots in the region were expressly prohibited, those that were not “bull running and cattle release” that are traditionally celebrated in municipalities such as San Sebastián de los Reyes. “The Community of Madrid may authorize bullfighting shows involving bullfighting cattle from other geographical areas and other bullfighting traditions.” […]which are organized in order to promote knowledge of the different cultural manifestations of the bullfighting festival”, includes the proposal to reform the norm. “As long as they respond to the conditions of respect for animals with veterinary criteria,” the ministry clarifies.
In addition to eliminating this prohibition, the new regulations will allow an animal to be reused in a second event within the same “cycle of celebrations”, something prohibited until now. “Cattle that have participated in one celebration may not participate in another,” dictates the Gallardón regulations, except for “the running of the bulls in which cattle are led that are going to be fought in a subsequent bullfight or bullfight.” Environment assures that the purpose is “to collect the request of the municipalities to be able to use the cattle in more popular bullfighting events, always with veterinary supervision, given that they make significant investments in the purchase of livestock.”
This is one more step in Ayuso’s pro-taurine policy, which despite the fact that it cuts spending on Culture by 6%. In addition, Madrid allocates 4.5 million euros to the Center for Bullfighting Affairs, subsidizes bullfighting schools and wants to create a bullfighting prize. As a whole, the regional Executive will dedicate 5.9% more to bullfighting issues next year than this year, while the overall accounts rise less, 4%. “He is a reference for me and my entire generation. It is a mirror in which I look at myself. “It’s for you.” These words on Sunday in the Vistalegre bullring in Carabanchel, where a rally was held for those affected by the dana, summarize the relationship of the president of Madrid with the world of bullfighting: mutual admiration and enchantment. In Madrid, only 39 of the 179 municipalities have a fixed bullring and there are 64 ranches, in addition to six bullfighting schools.
“All this money could be better allocated to Health, where there are many complaints and demands for improvements from society, which is mostly against animal abuse in bulls,” says Javier Luna, president of the Animalist Party With the Environment (Pacma), which announces to this newspaper that they will present allegations for a reform that they consider “many things, to begin with absurd and unnecessary.”
Pacma is “totally against” and does not understand why “Ayuso is still committed to benefiting the lobby livestock and bullfighting” and why he wants to import practices such as the bullfighting that are “from Aragón, Teruel and the Valencian Community” and that have never been seen in this community, while remembering that Pacma managed to prevent it from being celebrated this year the last fire bull of Castilla y León, the Toro Júbilo de Medinaceli (Soria). “This summer, bullfights and children’s bullfights have been held in several towns in Madrid where they were not done, such as Leganés, and they have had little participation,” emphasizes Luna, who does not believe that Ayuso’s support for bullfighting “conveys a good image.” of the community.”
“Two years ago, the regional government already tried to change the legislation, but could not,” recalls Luna, who emphasizes that in these cases “the bull is subjected to stress by taking it out of the pasture and putting it in front of a crowd and then “It is subjected to physical abuse, the animal is burning.” It is, in short, “as cruel as bullfighting, where your life ends.”
