The town of Tunte , in San Bartolomé de Tirajana , is preparing to host another edition of its traditional Santiago de Tunte Livestock Fair on July 24th . The event, which will take place in the town's surrounding area and main square between 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM , will maintain strict technical and health controls on all animals. Registrations can be submitted electronically by sending an email to the Department of Agriculture and Livestock , or in person on the day of the fair between 7:30 AM and 10:00 AM , at which time the jury will begin judging and the list of winners will be published at 1:00 PM.
The competition rules are notable for their stringent requirements to guarantee both animal welfare and the integrity of the event. One of the most striking rules stipulates that all participating livestock must have been milked the previous day, under penalty of immediate disqualification for non-compliance. Furthermore, all animals must have individual identification via ear tags or microchips and be in perfect health. Owners will have to provide official certificates issued by the Government of the Canary Islands demonstrating that their farms are free of serious diseases, requiring negative tests for tuberculosis, brucellosis, leukosis, or pleuropneumonia, depending on the species, as well as up-to-date vaccinations in the case of horses.
The technical jury will consist of a maximum of four veterinary professionals whose decisions will be final. The rules state that any attempt to harass or intimidate the judges will result in immediate expulsion. A very specific scoring system will be used to award the prizes: 50% of the score will be based on presentation (cleanliness of hooves, wool, and horns), 40% will reward the purity of the native breed (such as the Majorero Goat , the Canarian Sheep , or the Canarian Cattle ), and the remaining 10% will assess the parade and the naturalness of the animal's gait. As a point of technical interest, in the mule category, it will be rigorously verified that the animal is a true mule (offspring of a donkey and a mare) and not a hinny (offspring of a horse and a jenny).
To encourage participation, the organizers will provide a fixed transport allowance to livestock farmers who contribute a minimum of five goats or sheep ( €50 ), a minimum of two cows or bulls ( €50 ), or any equine animal ( €25 ). Cash prizes will range from €150 for the best cows and bulls in the country to smaller amounts for calves or horses. The document notes that, in accordance with tax legislation, all cash prizes are subject to a 19% withholding tax (IRPF). Therefore, the company awarded the event contract will pay the transport allowances and prizes via separate bank transfers before September 5, 2026.
