Deer farming for venison and antler velvet occurs across New Zealand, China, and other countries, with velvet harvesting raising specific welfare concerns about pain during antler removal.
Velvet harvesting without anaesthesia causes acute pain. Antlers in the velvet stage are living tissue with an extensive blood supply and nerve innervation — cutting them without anaesthetic is comparable to cutting through a limb with blood supply intact. Deer also experience significant stress from the restraint required for harvest. New Zealand has regulated this by requiring local anaesthesia, which substantially reduces but does not eliminate the welfare impact. In countries without such requirements, millions of deer undergo this procedure with no pain management. The welfare case for anaesthesia requirements globally, and for reduced demand for velvet products, is strong.