In the framework of the common agricultural policy (CAP), there is no specific EU aid designed to support the breeding of bulls for fighting, neither under the ‘first pillar’ of the CAP which refers to market measures and direct support, nor under the second pillar, dealing with Rural Development.

Under the ‘first pillar’, direct support to farmers is mostly paid irrespective of the crops they grow or the animals they breed (decoupling) and no specific payments are made for the breeding of bulls. Under the ‘second pillar’, EU support through rural development measures can be granted to holdings for several purposes, e.g. in order to improve their competitiveness, independently from the final use of the agricultural produce of the farm.

Article 13 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union[1] (TFEU) on the Union' policy on animal welfare states that ‘in formulating and implementing the Union’s agriculture, fisheries, transport, internal market, research, and technological development and space policies, the Union and Member States shall, since animals are sentient beings, pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals, while respecting the legislative or administrative provisions and customs of the Member States relating in particular to cultural traditions and regional heritage’. Bullfighting is considered as a cultural tradition and part of the regional heritage of several Member States. Therefore, and following the principle of conferral of competences the Commission has no competence to take initiatives in relation to these issues concerning cultural traditions in the Member States concerned.

• [1] Consolidated versions of the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Official Journal C 83 of 30.3.2010.

OJ C 320 E, 06/11/2013