Protest against bullfighting in Alicante, Spain

29-06-2021

CAS International and AnimaNaturalis protested against the return of bullfighting in the Mediterranean city of Alicante on Saturday, June 26. Following the relaxation of measures against the spread of COVID-19, bullfights are back in the city.

Between June 20 and 24, the city’s main festival, Les Fogueres de Sant Joan, took place. Several bullfights were held as a result of the festivities.

During this protest, we requested the government not to give subsidies to the bullfighting sector. In addition, due to the outbreak of the coronavirus many bullfights were cancelled, and the sector is demanding financial compensations. We asked the authorities not to give any support.

According to data from Spain’s Ministry of Culture, between 2007 and 2017 the number of bullfights decreased by 58.4 percent in the country. In addition, only 9.5 percent of the population went to at least one bullfight between 2014 and 2015 (of these, 2 of every 10 visitors had a free ticket). This also means that 90.5 percent of Spaniards did not go to a bullfight. Animal welfare is a reason for not going. For 40 percent, there is a lack of interest in bullfighting. 20 percent do not attend bullfights because of a lack of knowledge about the content, which makes it not possible to follow. About 80 percent of the bullfights in Spain take place in the provinces of Madrid, Toledo, Salamanca, Ávila and Cuenca.

We continue to put pressure on the authorities. In the coming months, we will protest in even more Spanish cities – when the Spanish corona measures allow it. Keep an eye on our website for more news. We will also publish new results of our in-depth research.

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