Bullfighting declared part of Spain's cultural heritage

Politicians have thrown the sport of bullfighting a much-needed lifeline by voting in favour of plans to declare it part of Spain's cultural heritage.

The vote the came after 590,000 enthusiasts signed a petition calling for a change to bullfighting's legal status. Deputies are required by law to debate any written request for a change to legislation which has more than half a million declared supporters.

The vote in favour of bullfighting – which, given the petition had the backing of the ruling Partido Popular was a virtual certainty – will eventually allow fight organisers to apply for tax breaks and could reverse the bans already in place in Catalonia and the Canary Islands.