Virus threatens Spain bullfights

The affected zones produce most of the fighting bulls

Spain's bullfighting industry faces the worst crisis in its history because of a mosquito-borne virus, say breeders.

Thousands of festivals involving cattle - from bullfights to the famous bull-running events held in places like Pamplona - are now under threat.

The blue tongue disease has led to restrictions on the movement of animals from infected areas.

Bull breeders' unions say that unless the restrictions are lifted, Spanish bullfighting will remain "paralysed".

The restricted zones include the regions of Andalusia, Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha - where about 65% of breeders used by events in the clear zones are based.

BLUE TONGUE DISEASE Insect-borne viral disease which can kill ruminants In sheep can cause fever, swelling of face and tongue Cattle rarely show symptoms and must have lab tests Prevented by vaccination and midge control Does not affect humans

Their bulls are bred for fights across Spain and southern France.

Under the rules in force since last year, animals can be transported outside restricted areas only for slaughter. If a bull was taken to a bullfight and not used, for whatever reason, the rules dictate that it would also have to be slaughtered.

Most of the bulls destined for fights in Pamplona's San Fermin festival in July, for example, are from the restricted zones - which means neither the fights nor the famous bull-running would be able to take place.

Knock-on effect

The bullfighting industry says the restrictions will impact the costs and quality of events across Spain and southern France, and have a knock-on effect elsewhere.

The popular Pamplona festival is threatened by the crisis

"It is not now a veterinary problem - it is a social, economic and cultural problem," Jaime Sebastian de Erice, of the Union of Breeders of Fighting Bulls, told the BBC News website.

He says the crisis also threatens hundreds of thousands of jobs directly or indirectly involved with the bullfighting industry - from hotels and ticket sellers to women's clothes shops.

He added that bull breeders say they can guarantee the safe transfer of animals from infected zones to the venues and back without the possibility of transmission of the disease - which does not affect humans.

Representatives from bullfighting and breeding organisations are due to meet the government this week to discuss the blue tongue crisis.