Spanish Constitutional Court overturns Catalan bullfighting ban

Catalonia banned bullfighting six years ago, but now the Spanish Constitutional Court has repealed the law banning it. They argued that the Catalan Government invaded State powers, as in 2013 bullfighting was declared as “cultural heritage” and therefore only the national government has the power to ban it.

Jordi Casamitjana, Head of Policy and Research from League Against Cruel Sports, said: "This ban is extremely important not just for Catalans but for the entire world, which has already condemned the Court's verdict. The passing of the ban was a momentous milestone in animal protection and it was brought directly by the Catalan public supported by politicians and the international community. However, such support is even stronger today, and the Catalan Government has already said that this verdict will not have any real effect and that they will do everything in their power to ensure bullfighting will not return to Catalonia".

"The League met yesterday in Barcelona with Catalan ministers, the leaders of the main Catalan parties, and the local and international anti-bullfighting movement and we were glad to see the resolve of Catalan politicians to ensure that the Court's verdict will not allow bullfighting to return. It is not the first time the Catalan government has managed to circumvent a verdict from the Spanish Constitutional Court repealing a Catalan law, so we are encouraged to see how strongly the Government feels about it and how certain they are that bullfighting will never be seen again in Catalonia".