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| Reality Check: Does the EU subsidise Spanish bullfighting? | Reality Check: Does the EU subsidise Spanish bullfighting? |
| (2 days later) | |
| The claim: £110m a year of EU agricultural subsidies go to fund Spanish bullfighting. | The claim: £110m a year of EU agricultural subsidies go to fund Spanish bullfighting. |
| Reality Check verdict: MEPs have tried to stop it - they voted to specifically prohibit spending EU agricultural funds for the purpose of Spanish bullfighting. But it seems their vote may not have had the desired effect. | |
| Uxbridge MP Boris Johnson popped up on BBC Breakfast this week to say that more money could be spent on science and the NHS, instead of Greek tobacco or bullfighting, if the UK left the EU. | |
| "£110m a year of CAP money goes on Spanish bullfighting for heaven's sake," the former Mayor of London said. | "£110m a year of CAP money goes on Spanish bullfighting for heaven's sake," the former Mayor of London said. |
| Spanish farmers receive direct payments under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to subsidise food production and support sustainable practices. | Spanish farmers receive direct payments under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to subsidise food production and support sustainable practices. |
| A 2013 report by Green MEPs on bullfighting in Spain found that around €130m (£103m) a year from EU funds was being used to subsidise the industry. | A 2013 report by Green MEPs on bullfighting in Spain found that around €130m (£103m) a year from EU funds was being used to subsidise the industry. |
| But in October 2015, MEPs voted for an amendment to the EU budget that stated that agricultural payments should not be made to land being used for the rearing of bulls for bullfighting. | But in October 2015, MEPs voted for an amendment to the EU budget that stated that agricultural payments should not be made to land being used for the rearing of bulls for bullfighting. |
| Such funding "is a clear violation of the European Convention for the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes", it noted. | Such funding "is a clear violation of the European Convention for the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes", it noted. |
| But, there's nothing to stop Spanish farmers raising bulls and then selling them on to others who may or not use them for bullfighting. | But, there's nothing to stop Spanish farmers raising bulls and then selling them on to others who may or not use them for bullfighting. |
| UPDATE 13/05/16: The League Against Cruel Sports has been in touch to point out that while the MEPs' amendment was included in the EU budget (you'll have to scroll to page 635), there was a footnote to it. | |
| The footnote says that this decision is "not executable" because it "modifies the legal provisions of the CAP", so it sounds like although MEPs tried to prevent money being spent on bullfighting, nothing will change unless the CAP is changed first. | |
| We're seeking clarification from the EU Commission but in the meantime have modified the verdict at the top of this article to reflect this information. | |
| Read more: The facts behind claims in the EU debate | Read more: The facts behind claims in the EU debate |