Bullfighters see red over mad cow plan

[Guest guest]

Here is an interesting article about bull fighting. Apparently the money

received from the

sale of the bulls dead body played some part in finances for fiestas etc.

 

Bullfighters see red over mad cow plan

 

From AFP

17jul01

 

SPAIN'S traditional bullfighting fiestas could be suspended for the first

time in their history over government measures introduced to tackle mad cow

disease.

 

The Spanish Government in February banned the sale of meat from animals

killed in the bullfighting ring as a precaution against the spread of BSE,

also known as mad cow disease.

 

But a group of 12 professional associations working in the sector says that

the measure has hit the financial viability of the country's bullfights,

especially in smaller villages.

 

Matadors and breeders have threatened strike action.

 

Such action is unprecedented in more than two centuries of the national

sport, which more than being just a potent Spanish symbol, plays an

important part in the country's economy.

 

Losses incurred by the ban on selling carcasses amount up to $8000 a fight,

money which usually makes a key contribution to the fiesta budget.