WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2487/98 by Undine-Uta BLOCH von BLOTTNITZ to the Commission. European subsidies for bullfighting
Date: 1998-07-30
Institutions: BLOCH VON BLOTTNITZ, European Parliament
Subjects: Basque Country, Spain, animal show, financial aid, livestock farming, protection of animals

28.6.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 182/11

(1999/C 182/013)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2487/98

by Undine-Uta Bloch von Blottnitz (V) to the Commission

Subject: European subsidies for bullfighting

(30 July 1998)

The construction of a large new bullring has recently been approved in San Sebastian, in the Basque region of
Spain. The project is to be financed partly by regional public funds. The rearing of fighting bulls is supported
by European Union funds.

1. What is the Commission’s view concerning the building of a new bullring, particularly in view of the fact
that the protection of animals has now acquired Treaty status through the Amsterdam Treaty, and should thus
be taken into account in all the policies of the Community and its Member States?

2.
Are EU funds earmarked for the construction of the new bullring? If so, on what scale and payable to
whom? Can the Commission ensure that public funds made available for the project do not (via Structural
Fund payments to Spain) come from the EU budget, even though they have perhaps not been applied for
directly for the project?

In what way and on what annual scale does the European Union support the breeding and rearing of

3.
fighting bulls in Spain?

4. What is the relationship between such expenditure and the obligation enshrined in the Treaty to spare
animals unnecessary suffering?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(9 October 1998)

1.
The Commission is very vigilant where animal welfare is concerned and looks very carefully therefore at
any Community contribution towards facilities where animals might be ill-treated or used as part of a show.

2.

The bullring at San Sebastian did not receive a contribution from the Structural Funds.

3.
The common agricultural policy provides no specific grant for the rearing of fighting bulls. A premium
scheme for male bovine animals has been in place since 1987 but adult bulls were excluded from it in 1996 as
a result of a change in the Community rules (Regulation (EC) 2222/96) (1) (the exception being a limited
number of animals produced by extensive rearing methods which can temporarily qualify under the scheme in
1997 and 1998). The Commission has no information on the amount of aid that might go towards fighting
bulls. The premium is granted when the animal is 10 months old, before its use for bullfighting has been
decided.

4.

In the light of the above, this question is without foundation.

(1) OJ L 296, 21.11.1996.

(1999/C 182/014)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2517/98

by Maartje van Putten (PSE) to the Commission

(30 July 1998)

Subject: Support for the development of alternative methods to animal experiments

Given the importance which the European Parliament attaches to the successful development of alternative
methods to animal experiments, as expressed, for example, in the resolution on the development, validation
and legal acceptance of alternative methods to animal experiments in the field of cosmetic products (1), the