Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
The clamour of voices surrounding the ban on horse-drawn carriages in Malaga have resounded throughout much of Spain’s Andalucía region, where the news has become a hot topic of conversation and has even made the front page of some local newspapers. This is true especially in Seville. There is a strong tradition of this tourist activity and a commercial interest.
In the provincial capital of Andalucía local media have just reported that Seville’s city council has distanced itself from the measure taken in Malaga and is currently studying the modification of the bye-laws in collaboration with the owners of these working horses and the college of veterinarians.
El Diario de Sevilla is one of these newspapers that has put the issue on its front page, with five columns and a full-page photograph stating “Seville’s horse-drawn wagons will remain.” In the article, it was stated that “the City Council has dissociated from the initiative passed in Malaga”.
Seville mayor’s team told other media outlets they would not comment on what is happening in other cities, even though he has not himself made an official statement. Then, they point out “Malaga is different” from Seville because “the latter has a more deeply rooted tradition of horse drawn carriages”.
Seville has adopted a similar approach to the Spanish College of Veterinarians who advocate for regulations to guarantee the welfare of animals in the workplace. In a nationwide report, they mention, among other things that shelters need to be shaded, and water should be available.
Podemos Seville, despite the apparent majority of the left-wing party, has asked the municipal government to hold a “public” and “transparent” debate about the future of the carriages in Seville. Podemos Sevilla also suggested holding a consultation with the public to see if the population of the city supports this tourist activity.
The Spanish animal protection party Pacma also welcomed the progress in Malaga, which it described as a decisive move towards the final elimination of an “obsolete cruel” practice. Pacma called on Seville and Cordoba to follow in Malaga’s footsteps.
