28 July 2010

Catalonia bans bullfighting in landmark Spain vote

Bullfighting has declined in popularity in Catalonia but fights are still held in Barcelona

The parliament of Catalonia has voted to ban bullfighting - the first region of mainland Spain to do so.

The vote took place as the result of a petition brought to parliament, signed by 180,000 people who say the practice is barbaric and outdated.

Bullfight supporters insist that the corrida, as it is known, is an important tradition to preserve. They also fear the vote could be the first of many in the country. The ban takes effect in January 2012.

In Wednesday's vote, 68 backed a ban, 55 voted against and nine abstained.
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-10784611