Spanish region says adios to bullfighting

In a controversial move, Spain’s Catalonia region has voted to outlaw bullfighting.

It is only the second region in the country to do so, following in the footsteps of the Canary Islands.

The bill went to the regional parliament after a petition was signed by 180,000 people.

Bullfighting was made illegal in the Canary Islands in 1991.

It is a debate that has gone on for years, between those who claim the practice is barbaric and those who say it is a tradition that must be preserved.

Others argued the tourist industry would suffer if the practice was stopped.

The ban in Catalonia is expected to come into force in 2012, when the last remaining bullring in Barcelona will be shut down.

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