Antler Velvet Farming and Deer Welfare

Velvet antler farming, practiced primarily in New Zealand and Korea, involves annual antler removal from live deer, raising welfare concerns about the procedure and farming conditions.

Key Facts

New Zealand is the world's largest producer of velvet antler, with about 1 million deer farmed for this purpose
Antler velvet is removed annually when antlers are still covered in skin and blood supply is active
New Zealand regulations require analgesia and local anaesthetic for velvet removal since 2000
Korean velvet farming regulations are less stringent and welfare concerns are more significant
Velvet antler is used primarily in traditional Chinese medicine markets with claims of various health benefits
Farmed deer must be mustered and handled for velvet removal, causing stress for animals evolved to flee predators

Welfare Considerations

The welfare of velvet antler farming depends critically on the analgesic protocol used during removal, the housing system for deer, and the frequency and quality of handling. In New Zealand, regulated analgesia makes the removal procedure less painful, but mustering stress and housing conditions remain welfare variables. In less regulated markets, velvet removal without analgesia causes acute pain. The welfare case for buying velvet products depends entirely on verified source regulation.

What You Can Do

Avoid velvet antler products from unregulated sources where analgesia requirements are absent
If purchasing velvet products, verify they originate from New Zealand's regulated farming system
Support campaigns for minimum velvet farming welfare standards in all producing countries
Back research into deer welfare in farmed settings to develop evidence-based housing and handling standards
Raise awareness of the welfare variability in global velvet antler farming