This year, the fences marking the route of the Bull Run at the world-renowned San Fermin Festival will be made from PEFC-certified timber for the first time. The annual, nine day festival, better known as the Pamplona bull running, is a traditional celebration and this year will be held from 6 to 14 July.

While the festival, which was first documented in the 14th Century, is best known for the encierro, the running of the bulls, the most important day is actually 7 July, when thousands of people accompany a replica of the statue of Saint Fermin along the streets in the old part of Pamplona.

The Bull Run which stretches from Corralillos to the Plaza de Torros, is 825 meters long and the average time of the run from start to finish is about three minutes.

To ensure spectator safety, a double fence marks the route of the Bull Run through the streets of Pamplona. The timber used for the fence is locally sourced from sustainably-managed, PEFC-certified forests. The pinewood used for the fencing planks comes from the Roncal Valley, located in the Navarre woodlands and were prepared by a carpenter in Puente la Reina; a town located in the south-west of Pamplona.

The use of PEFC-certified wood and a local, PEFC-certified carpenter for the project reflects the objectives of Navarre's government; to expand forest certification in the region in support of sustainable forest management and to create local jobs.

Welcoming the decision, PEFC Spain Director, Ana Noriega commented "we are delighted that the Navarre Government has chosen this world-renowned festival to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable forest management and rural development. More than forty percent of the Navarre's woodlands are certified to PEFC, the world's largest forest certification system and the leading system in Spain, ensuring the responsible management of the area's vast ecological wealth and resources while contributing to its social and economic development."

Further Information

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