91998E0062

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0062/98 by Johanna Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission (29 January 1998)

Subject: Abuse of animals in Spain

Is the Commission aware of an article in the Spanish magazine 'Quo', No 24 of 2 September 1997, which indicated that in Spain each year 300 'cultural events' take place in which animals are abused, tortured and killed for the entertainment of the Spanish public (see annex).

This article quotes the following examples:

1. the 'toro embolado' where the horns of bulls are set on fire, with the eyes and skin also being burnt;

2. ritual slaughter of pigs: the pig is held by a number of men and, after a hook has been fastened through the snout, it is slit by the slaughterer. The animal runs around until it bleeds to death;

3. In Nalda, Rioja, cocks are hung up by their feet and their heads cut off by young men from the village. Following public protests dead cocks are now used.

4. In Coria, Cáceres, the bull of San Juan runs through the village for hours with arrows being shot at it through blow pipes until the animal is covered with blood. Later in the square all types of pointed objects are stuck into it. Finally it is killed with a pistol and its testicles are cut off.

5. In Zamora the 'Manganese' goat is thrown down from the clock tower of the church. In 1991 there was an attempt to ban this practice but in the end two goats were actually thrown down. A fine of PTA 100 000 was imposed. Goats are still thrown, but a safety net is now spread so that the animals do not hit the ground.

Does the Commission not consider that such abuse of animals has no place in a cultured country which belongs to the European Union?

Is the Commission willing, on the basis of the article on the protection of animals in the Treaty of Amsterdam, to draw up European legislation against such cruelty to animals or is the Commission willing to take some other action to halt these practices?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (17 February 1998)

The Commission has stated on many occasions that it deplores all types of cruelty to animals. However, Community competence in this domain is limited and Community legislation exists only in the sphere of protection of animals on farms, in laboratories, at slaughter and during transport.

The animal welfare protocol to the Treaty of Amsterdam underlines the importance of animal welfare but stresses that cultural traditions and regional heritage should continue to be respected. These latter aspects, therefore, remain purely within the national domain.