More than 500,000 signatures for the end of bullfighting as cultural heritage in Spain
30-01-2025Fantastic news from Spain! Our Spanish sister organizations have collected more than 500,000 signatures for a citizens’ initiative calling for the repeal of the law that recognizes bullfighting as cultural heritage. With this half a million signatures, the Spanish Congress is now required to officially consider the initiative. Due to its cultural heritage status, it is currently not possible to ban bullfighting in Spain. CAS International supports this citizens’ initiative.

More than 500,000 signatures for the end of bullfighting as cultural heritage in Spain | Picture: Noesmicultura.org
The current legislation makes it impossible to take steps toward a ban on bullfighting. As a result, Spanish regions and municipalities cannot regulate bullfighting themselves. With this citizens’ initiative, the Spanish Congress must consider repealing the law that recognizes bullfighting as cultural heritage.
Catalonia and the Balearic Islands
In the past, attempts have been made to restrict bullfighting, including in Catalonia (2012) and the Balearic Islands (2017). CAS International was involved in both processes. In Catalonia, it was a complete ban, while the Balearic Islands aimed for partial restrictions, prohibiting the wounding and killing of bulls—the so-called ‘bloodless bullfights.’ However, the existing legislation blocked both initiatives.
Additionally, this law ensures that the bullfighting sector receives more financial support through subsidies. Moreover, it actively promotes bullfighting among young people.
🟢 GOOD NEWS | The end of bullfighting as a cultural heritage in Spain has reached a major milestone! 500,000 signatures have been collected for the citizens’ initiative!
— CAS International (@casinternational.bsky.social) 28 januari 2025 om 17:38
500,000 Signatures
In early January 2024, various organizations and other social representatives submitted the citizens’ initiative to the Congress of Deputies in Spain. Thanks to the No es mi Cultura (It’s Not My Culture) campaign, the efforts of more than 200 organizations (including CAS International), and the dedication of over 3,000 volunteers across 40 provinces, more than half a million signatures were collected. These signatures were gathered at a wide range of locations, including festivals, concerts, demonstrations, sporting events, markets, and cultural gatherings. Only Spanish nationals were eligible to sign.
Maite van Gerwen, director of CAS International:
“It’s incredible what our colleagues in Spain have achieved! The large number of signatures confirms what various opinion polls have already shown: support for bullfighting is disappearing in Spain. Now, it’s up to the politicians. We hope that parties take the will of the people seriously and repeal this law.”
Little Interest
In 2013, the Spanish government declared bullfighting as cultural heritage. Despite this legal protection, the number of bullfights has steadily declined each year. According to data from the Spanish Ministry of Culture, the number of bullfights was halved between 2009 and 2019 (from 2,684 to 1,425). The same ministry also investigated how many people attend bullfights and bull festivals: in 2018-2019, only 8% of the Spanish population participated.
Recent surveys show that more than 50% of Spaniards are in favor of banning or restricting bullfighting (SocioMétrica, 2019). Additionally, a study by Fundación BBVA in 2022 found that 8 out of 10 Spaniards oppose the use of animals in bullfighting. A recent survey conducted by Ipsos I&O Public for CAS International shows that bullfighting is rejected in Spain, France, and Portugal. 77% of respondents believe that bullfighting causes too much suffering to animals, and 58% think it should be banned.
Stay tuned to our website and social media channels for more updates on this citizens’ initiative!
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