After controversy, vaquejada becomes cultural heritage of Alagoas.
The Alagoas State Legislative Assembly (ALE) has approved, and the state government has sanctioned, a law that declares vaquejada (a traditional Brazilian rodeo-like event) a cultural heritage of Alagoas. Regarding vaquejada, the law states that animals must be guaranteed freedom from hunger and thirst, injuries and diseases, maintenance of facilities and access to medication, as well as tail protectors for all cattle.
Alagoas 247 - The State government sanctioned the law that makes vaquejada a cultural heritage of Alagoas, according to a publication in the State Official Gazette (DOE) this Thursday (22). The Legislative Assembly of the State of Alagoas (ALE) approved, on the 23rd of last month, the bill that confers on vaquejada and rodeo the status of cultural manifestation.
According to the publication, Law No. 7.851 recognizes rodeo, vaquejada (a traditional Brazilian rodeo event), and lassoing as artistic and cultural expressions, activities that are "intrinsically linked to the life, identity, actions, and memory of groups that formed Alagoas society."
The law defines the following as sporting disciplines: dressage, carriage driving, eventing, endurance riding, rural equestrianism, show jumping, vaulting, roping, sprinting, racing, among others.
The publication also makes it clear that specific regulations approved by their respective associations and legal entities, recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), are necessary. These regulations must prioritize animal welfare and apply sanctions for non-compliance, in accordance with legal requirements.
Furthermore, regarding the vaquejada (Brazilian rodeo), it is necessary to ensure that the animals are free from hunger and thirst, with sufficient food available; free from injuries and diseases, maintaining proper facilities and using medication; and also, that all cattle have tail protectors.
The law is signed into law by the state governor, Renan Filho (PMDB).
Bill
The author of the bill, Representative Dudu Hollanda (PSD), explained that the approved legislation was the result of a struggle waged by advocates of the sport in the Northeast, guaranteeing the maintenance of jobs and favoring the development of municipalities where the activity is dominant. A supporter of rodeos, Hollanda assured that there is no mistreatment in the sport.
STF
According to Justice Teori Zavascki of the Supreme Federal Court (STF), the outcome of the Court's ruling in October was not to prohibit vaquejada (a traditional Brazilian rodeo-like event) throughout the country.
"In the case cited as a precedent, what this Court effectively established was the unconstitutionality of the Ceará state law that regulated vaquejada (a traditional Brazilian rodeo-like event), and it is not appropriate, at this time, to draw the conclusion that its practice is prohibited throughout the national territory," Teori justified in a decision issued on the 7th of this month.
With gazetaweb.com