Bullfighting will be a “failing business”, says Green MEP as EU ends subsidies

28 October 2015

Green Party MEP for the South East, Keith Taylor, has said today’s decision by the European Parliament to end “misplaced” EU subsidies for bullfighting could be “a massive blow to the industry”. Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London, added that the move will “further strengthen the EU’s reputation as a world-leader on animal protection”.

Their comments came after a majority of MEPs voted in support of an amendment to the EU budget which called for agricultural payments to be withdrawn from all land being used to rear bulls for bullfighting. According to a 2013 report called Torres and Taxes, no less than €129.6 million is spent by the European Union on subsidising bullfighting each year.

Taylor said:

“I am delighted that MEPs have voted today to stop EU money being used to prop up the bullfighting industry.

“Bullfighting is barbaric and cruel and, without the support of misplaced EU farming subsidies, it’s a failing business. While the vote today will not stop bullfighting, it could be a massive blow to the industry - stopping millions of pounds going to those involved.”

Lambert said:

“I'm extremely pleased that the European Parliament voted for today's Green amendment to stop EU subsidies benefiting bullfighting.

“The EU has some of the best animal protection laws are in the world, but this record has been marred by agriculture subsidies being misused in this way.

“This vote will further strengthen the EU's reputation as a world-leader on animal protection and should, I hope, end EU money subsidising this cruel practice, which many people rightly want banned.”

 

Notes

1. 438 MEPs voted in favour, and 199 against the following amendment:

26 c. Reiterates that CAP appropriations or any other appropriations from the budget should not be used for financing lethal bull fighting activities; recalls that such funding is a clear violation of the European Convention for the protection of animals kept for farming purposes (Council Directive 98/58/EC);

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