MEDIA RELEASE

27 July 2010

WSPA hands over 140,000 signatures into the Catalonian Parliament

The World Society for the Protection of Animals hands over 140,000 signatures into the Catalonian Parliament in support of the ILP calling for an end to bullfighting in Catalonia.

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) yesterday handed over a letter, signed by over 140,000 supporters from 120 countries, to Ernest Benach, President of the Catalonian Parliament. The letter is addressed to all Catalonian Members of Parliament, expressing international support for the ILP and calling for an end to bullfighting in Catalonia. (Footnote 1)

The signatures were collected through WSPA websites worldwide in support of the joint platform PROU, made up of several Catalonian citizens working for a ban on bullfighting in the region, that have presented this popular initiative (ILP) to be voted in the Parliament next Wednesday, July 28th.

“The unprecedented level of international interest and activity that this campaign has inspired amongst members of the public and the media over recent months demonstrates the true scale and spread of the support for a legally-binding abolition of bullfighting in Catalonia,” stated Mike Baker, CEO of WSPA International, “This week, the world is watching Catalonia. Local MPs have the chance to make a bold statement about the region’s modern attitude by refusing to allow the continuance of this outdated and cruel practice.”

During the interview with WSPA representatives, President Benach has reiterated his intention to vote for a ban on bullfighting in Catalonia, as he has expressed publicly in different occasions.

A bullfighting ban in Catalonia would be in keeping with an emerging trend, as more and more local authorities from around the world are outlawing this practice. Within Spain, the Canary Islands have already banned bullfighting, as have cities in Ecuador, Venezuela, France, Portugal and Colombia. A ban in Catalonia would set an example in Spain for other regions to follow and make the cruelty of bullfighting history.

The Catalonian Parliament is scheduled to vote on the ILP tomorrow (28 July 2010 at 10am Spanish time). Representatives from PROU (www.prou.cat) will hold a press conference immediately following the announcement of the result at the press room of the Parliament.

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