France’s upper house on Thursday rejected a bill banning children under 16 from attending bullfights, sparking emotional debate.
By a vote of 237-64, the right-dominated Senate rejected legislation aimed at protecting children from “traumatic” scenes, but angered enthusiasts of the centuries-old tradition.
French law prohibits animal cruelty and bullfighting is banned in most of France.
In the south, however, corrida is allowed in cities such as Bayonne, Nîmes and Beziers, where it is considered a cultural tradition despite complaints from activists.
“Is it acceptable for minors to witness the suffering of a living being while their understanding of the values of compassion and benevolence is still being formed?” said Senator Samantha Cazebonne, who wrote the bill.
“We have a duty to protect their innocence.”
Another senator, Guillaume Gontard, added: “Adults standing up and clapping for blood are an important symbol. And the responsibility of adults is to protect children.”
But many others spoke in defense of the tradition, and some even accused the bill’s supporters of targeting bullfighting itself.
“Let’s respect our identity, let’s respect our culture and let parents choose how to pass it on!” said Senator Laurent Burgoa.
Justice Minister Didier Migaud said the state should not intervene in family matters “at the risk of being paternalistic or even invasive”.
Although public opinion favors banning bullfighting in France, an attempt to ban the practice completely in 2022 failed, with a majority of lawmakers wary of inciting the southern heartlands.
The lower house of the National Assembly never voted on that bill.
Many so-called ‘bull towns’ rely on the shows for tourism and see the culture of bull breeding and spectacle – revered by authors and artists from Ernest Hemingway to Pablo Picasso – as part of their way of life.
Anti-bullfighting activists have rejected the bill’s rejection.
“France has once again missed the opportunity to comply with the recommendations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, which explicitly recommended banning minors from bullfighting and related spectacles,” said Claire Starozinski, president of the Alliance Anticorrida.
“The interests of the child have been sacrificed on the altar of tradition, denial and opportunism.”
The Union of French Bullfighting Cities (UVTF) praised the move.
“The Senate has taken an important step towards definitive protection of bullfighting in France,” the Senate said in a statement.
“The UVTF is grateful to the senators who upheld the rights of the cultural community in the field of bullfighting.”
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