Farmed Deer Antler and Velvet Regulation Globally

The regulation of velvet antler removal from farmed deer varies enormously between countries, with major welfare implications for the millions of deer farmed globally.

Key Facts

New Zealand, which farms approximately 900,000 deer, introduced mandatory anaesthesia for velvet removal in 1999
Canada and the USA have no federal regulations requiring pain relief for velvet antler removal
China, the largest velvet producing country, has variable and largely unregulated practices
Growing velvet antler is densely innervated with pain-sensitive nerve fibres throughout the growth phase
The velvet antler supplement market is valued at billions of dollars annually, primarily in Asian markets

Welfare Considerations

The regulatory gap in velvet antler removal standards across deer-farming countries means that millions of deer undergo an acutely painful procedure without pain relief depending on where they are farmed. The scientific evidence that growing velvet antler is pain-sensitive is clear — the tissue is supplied by branches of the trigeminal nerve and bleeds profusely when cut. New Zealand's requirement for sedation or anaesthesia has been in place for over two decades without significant negative impact on industry economics. Extending this requirement globally would reduce the suffering of a very large number of farmed animals.

What You Can Do

Avoid velvet antler supplements unless sourced from farms with mandatory anaesthesia requirements
Support international trade policy that requires animal welfare certification for velvet antler products
Campaign for national regulations requiring pain relief for velvet antler removal in deer-farming countries
Donate to organisations working to improve international farmed deer welfare standards