European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 3, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Magazine psst i Mem it  ". R Voo Haw to have a High level of sensitivity to appreciate bullfighting " said e Spanish aficionado. Popularity of bullfighting wanes  new York times a though ii in fighting bulls ate a Long Way ram becoming victors instead of vanquished in Spain s notional  hey have recently been having their Day both in Anci out of the ring. In a nation whore matadors enjoy hero status the conies of Man versus bul is the stuff o myth legend and reality spaniards have been fascinated by bullfighting since in was introduced by the moors in medieval times and Barrio youngsters Drcar of escape by Means of Hie ring much As american slum children Toofic to professional baseball or football As a Way out. Bui growing numbers of spaniards Are questioning whether bullfighting 15 even a Sporl. As enthusiasts insist or merely unnecessary ceremonial cruelly to organization said Bull Hehling is Litho fool of All the acts of savagery in our  and it s not part of Spanish culture she said. It s a tradition that could be Good or had such As the gladiators or using leeches 10 reduce lever or slavery she said. But Why preserve fuel traditions however deeply footed last year 40.2 million people saw 30,716 bulls in Ler a fan. Carlos Dud Gull. Director of Industrial relations for Iberia airlines said bullfighting is to Spanish culture what the Sun was to the Mayas. It s a question of sensitivity you have to have a High level of sensitivity to Appie Euile  opponents do nol quite see it in those terms Amanda a Pilario. Secretary general of the association of the defence of animal rights a Spanish is fib photo an opponent argues that bullfighting is the Root of All the acts of savagery in our  saturday september 3,1988 he ring. The j30q million Industry employed 170,000 people in 1987. Just a Lew years ago complaints wore smugly dismissed by bullfighting supporters hut things seem to be changing. In a poll last year the conservative daily a found that so percent of spaniards said they were not interested in bullfights ant thai Only 18 Poi cent described themselves As keenly interested with 40 percent of them Over 40 years old. In another Survey last year Tho Liberal daily Al pais found that 54 percent  in said they had never been to the ring and to percent expressed no interest in doing so attendance at bullfights is Way Down except in tha bigger Cipres. Opponents say Ifray Are on the verge of having Asturias province declared the first Bulleigh log free zone in the country. They note that Ono Man has been killed in the ring this year and 8 have died since 1971. Bul perhaps the most Sigma cant assault by Ali bullfighting forces is an animal rights proposal Bolero the european parliament that Proton cols Hope will eventually Toad to a ban on Ullfig Hitrig by the european Community. The proposal sponsored by a number of members Al the parliament mostly irom Uritam. Wisl Germany and other Northern european countries has Tho support of animal rights groups in Spain including the association Lor the defense of animal rights which claims 9.000 members and 300.000 sympathizers the proposal is aimed at abuse of animals in general and would ban events such As do and cock fighting and foxhunting and would include abuse of bulls and other animals at annual lairs in hundreds of villages and  Spain supporters and Light lovers plainly on the defensive have begun staging counterattacks they have the Active and implied support of Many top govern men officials and leaders including King Juan Carlos. Deputy prime minister Altonso Guerra once expressed his disagreement with a ban on attendance by children under 14 by taking his 4-year-old son to u Light. As the anti Light forces lobby Lor an end to government subsidies to bullfighting schools and rings As Well As enforcement of Tho age limits and an end to fights on stale owned television fans in big cities Are Locking to the rings to demonstrate their support some opponents have unfurled banners Al fights and picketed rings usually undo police Protection in the end though it is perhaps other Dilfia bullies that Wilt Hurt the sport More than popular opposition. Members of the National Union of fighting Bull breeders say operating costs of the nation s 260-plus Breedis Are soaring As a to cull of stricter controls and enforcement by the government of veterinarian regulations As Well As age and weigh requirements to prevent use of Young and lighter animals. Enforcement officers Are constantly watching to prevent promoters from Laking shortcuts the National health school reported thai last year of 150 Bull horns inspected 50 repro Selling 30 breeders were found to have been shaved to give the Matador an advantage. Doctors also Rop Oil of her fraudulent practices such As drugging animals with laxatives and tranquil triers and Spra ing them Wilh Mace. In addition it is becoming Mote expensive to iced and care of the tens of thousands of animals needed to produce the 5.000 filled in the 340 rings in the season irom april uni mid october. Operators refuse to release prod figures but Only a Lew of the breeders Are believed to be making Money and Only a handout of matadors command great earnings. The stars and stripes Page 13