In a question he asked today through Parliament to the Minister of Culture, he asked, “Overall throughout 2020, what is the value attributed to the bullfighting sector? And in the first half of 2021?”
In this document, released to journalists, Cristina Rodriguez cites data from Plataforma Basta de Bullfighting and states that “in the first months of 2021, €23,4144.5 of community funds were allocated to the implementation of bullfighting in Portugal.”
He also asks: “Does the government intend to continue supporting a sector based on animal suffering, which is against the principles of respect and animal welfare that the Portuguese state is supposed to defend?”
According to the deputy, “This support was provided through Compete 2020 within the scope of the” Guarantee Culture “program created specifically to support cultural activity that has been severely affected by the epidemic caused by covid-19.”
“With this amount, the bullfighting of Elvas, Beja, Salvaterra de Magos, Evora and Reguengos de Monsaraz was funded, through five companies that benefited from this financial support,” adds the parliamentarian, noting that “according to the aforementioned association, five beneficiary companies, and four bullfighting companies, and the fifth (Troféuganho Lda.) instead of CAE 93291 – bullfighting activities, has CAE 90020 – activities in support of the performing arts.”
Cristina Rodriguez noted that “this latter company will receive 50,000 euros to organize bullfighting” and that “taking into account CAE, there are doubts about its eligibility for this purpose”, Cristina Rodriguez asks the government if “it is verified” that the company is “effectively capable.” Organizing this type of event.
The non-attached MP noted that “lead is not a consensual activity in Portugal, in addition to the apparent skepticism of animal welfare” and considers it “surprising that in the context of the epidemic that has exacerbated the economic crisis and affected in particular the sector and agents of culture, to support bullfighting activities.”
“This situation is particularly important when – unfairly – many artists and cultural workers have been excluded from the support attributed to the sector,” he advocates.
Cristina Rodriguez (formerly PAN) also criticizes “chronic disinvestment” and “inadequate support” for the cultural sector and notes that “the pandemic has further highlighted its weaknesses”.
Covid-19 has caused at least 4,381,911 deaths worldwide, among the more than 208.5 million new coronavirus infections recorded since the beginning of the pandemic, according to the latest report from Agence France-Presse.
In Portugal, since March 2020, 17,601 people have died and 1,009,571 cases of infection have been recorded, according to the Directorate General of Health.
The respiratory disease is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which was discovered in late 2019 in Wuhan, a city in central China, and currently with variants identified in countries such as the United Kingdom, India, South Africa, Brazil or Peru.
Emily Brontë is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, literature, and current affairs. She is dedicated to producing clear, accurate reporting that helps readers stay informed about developments in the UK and around the world.
