Bullfighting in Spain has now received a special ‘cultural status’. The tradition receives mixed views from people all over the world, with many visiting to watch the spectacle, and others branding it animal cruelty.

Whichever way you see it, it is a tradition of the country and has now been labelled ‘an artistic discipline and cultural product’.

The news comes as a relief for enthusiasts around the world who feared their passion was in danger of being banned, following the ban of the sport in Catalonia last year. Some animal activists however, have been left outraged at the news, accusing the Prime Minister José Luis Rodriguez Zapatero’s government of going back on its commitment to them.

The decision came following high amounts of pressure from the Bullfighting industry which was worried about the future of the sport after the Catalonian ban came into force.

A statement from the Ministry of Culture stated: ‘As it is understood that bullfighting is an artistic discipline and a cultural product, it was considered that the ministry of culture was the correct place for its development and protection.’

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