The letter, addressed to the Minister of Emergencies and Interior, Juan Carlos Valderrama, requests the declaration of full legal nullity of the administrative resolution by which the General Directorate of Interior authorized the events held on May 2 and 9, 2026, both between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
The challenge is based on Article 106 of Law 39/2015 on the Common Administrative Procedure, which allows for the official review of administrative acts when they are deemed to be null and void. ANPBA argues that the authorization violates Decree 31/2015, which regulates traditional bullfighting events in the Valencian Community, by only including modalities such as the release of heifers ('suelta de vaquillas'), the 'toro embolado' (bull with flaming balls on its horns), bull runs ('encierros'), the exhibition of fighting bulls ('toro cerril'), 'bou a la mar' (bull in the sea), 'bou de corro', 'toro ensogado' (bull on a rope), and the 'concurso de recortadores' (bull horn-trimming competition).
The association focuses its argument on the fact that the regulation mentions 'toro embolado' (bull with horns set alight) but not 'vaca embolada' (cow with horns set alight). According to the written statement, the term 'toro' cannot be understood as equivalent to 'vaca', meaning the practice involving female cattle would not be covered by the authorized modalities. ANPBA maintains that, for female cattle, the only provision in the regulations would be the 'suelta de vaquillas' (release of heifers), but not their 'embolado'.
In the official review request, the entity further recalls that it requested access to the expediente documentation after learning of one of the events and, upon receiving the authorization, confirmed that the City Council had expressly requested the celebration of a 'Vaca-Toro Corro Embolado' on May 2 and a 'Vaca Embolada' on May 9.
ANPBA now requests that the Ministry admit the submission, process the procedure, and issue a resolution declaring the authorization null and void, as well as revoking it and rendering it ineffective. The entity considers that the resolution might have permitted a modality not included in the closed list of the regional 'bous al carrer' (bulls in the street) regulations.
The association, which opposes the use of animals in festivities, frames this action within its usual activity of filing complaints and administrative submissions to challenge bullfighting authorizations that, in its view, affect animal welfare.
