REGARDING the Catalan aspiration for independence, this is hardly surprising, given the inherent cultural differences with Spain, which are largely ignored by the Spanish government.

Spain itself is synonymous with cruelty to animals, especially with regard to the so-called ‘sport’ of bullfighting, but also in the countless religious fiestas held all over Spain, celebrating saints’ days, where goats are thrown off church belfries, bulls’ horns are set on fire, and animals are routinely stabbed with spears and other weapons. However, the Catalan Parliament voted to abolish bullfighting in 2010, only to see the ban annulled by Spain’s highest court in October of last year.

Bullfighting was legalised in France in 2012, and Macron appointed a female bullfighter as one of his MPs. If we remain in the EU, how long before this vile abomination becomes accepted here in the UK? It’s no use appealing to the EU, which supports bullfighting, and the organisation even held an exhibition at its Brussels headquarters, promoting it. The EU does not admit to directly subsidising bullfighting, but £110m a year is diverted to Spanish farmers to rear bulls for the bullring. It is outrageous that British taxpayers are still contributing to this. 

MARK PRITCHARD
Linkside Avenue, Oxford