Movements fighting for animal rights expressed their disapproval of the creation of the Parliamentary Front in Defense of Rodeos, launched this Monday (13) during the meeting of the Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development at the Minas Gerais State Legislative Assembly (ALMG). In a note signed by eleven entities, activists classified the initiative of the Minas Gerais deputies as a threat to the lives of species used in so-called ‘peasant parties’.
The coordinator of the Minas Gerais Movement for Animal Rights, Adriana Araújo, criticized the fact that parliamentarians are mobilizing in favor of an activity that, according to her, is known for mistreating animals for the entertainment of the public. “These animals have the capacity to feel and suffer. If they could choose, they would never be in these rodeo environments. The simple fact of the animal staying awake all night, subjected to stress, in an environment with fireworks, is already torture,” Adriana states.
The activist also condemned the fact that the public hearing was only announced in the Assembly’s agenda three days before the meeting, on the eve of the weekend. For her, the measure would have been a maneuver to prevent supporters of the cause from attending. “The Assembly is a place for debate, democracy, and contradiction. But the principle of publicity was greatly compromised in order to ensure popular participation by publicizing the hearing only on Friday at 3 pm,” criticized the activist.
The author of the request for the public hearing, State Deputy Douglas Melo (PSD), stated that the meeting had been widely publicized in the last few weeks. “Our intention here is not to create a confrontation. We want there to be a joint effort so that, if there is mistreatment at an event, it can be improved or no longer happen. But we also want to protect those events that are carried out correctly and by serious people,” he declared to O TEMPO.
During the hearing that sealed the creation of the parliamentary front, Melo also said that the main objective is to demystify the concept that the rodeo is an environment of mistreatment. “The animal there is not just a product, it is much more than that. It is cared for with high quality, with the best feed, with the best professionals. We want to demystify, but also know where we can improve. If there is a problem, we are willing to improve,” declared the deputy.
State Deputy Gustavo Santana (PL) defended that “Minas Gerais has the obligation to encourage rodeos, marching contests, horseback rides, rodeos, lasso contests, barrel racing, among others. These events attract spectators from Brazil and the world, bringing important revenue injection for our State,” he said during the hearing.
One of the main figures defending animal rights in the Assembly, State Deputy and President of the Extraordinary Commission for Animal Protection, Noraldino Junior (PSB), did not attend the hearing, a fact that sparked criticism among activists. On social media, he attributed his absence to family issues and stated that he will “not allow the regularization of an activity that brings joy to some and suffering to animals.”
Noraldino promised to call a public hearing to, according to him, “discuss the harm of rodeos”. The coordinator of the Minas Gerais Movement for Animal Rights, Adriana Araújo, also said that the group is already organizing to involve authorities against the parliamentary front.
The report reached out to Deputy Douglas Melo and awaits a response regarding the criticisms made by Adriana.