Farm Animal Welfare

Farmed Deer Antler Velvet Harvesting Welfare

Antler velvet harvesting from farmed deer is practised in several countries, raising significant welfare concerns.

Key Facts

Velvet antler is harvested primarily in New Zealand, China and Korea for traditional medicine markets
Antlers in velvet are highly vascular and innervated - cutting them causes acute pain
New Zealand regulations require local anaesthesia for velvet removal, but compliance varies
Red deer are intensively farmed for velvet production at significant scale in New Zealand
The traditional medicine evidence base for velvet antler efficacy is limited

Welfare Considerations

Velvet antler harvesting without adequate anaesthesia causes acute pain from cutting vascular, innervated tissue. Even with anaesthesia, restraint for the procedure causes significant stress. The market demand for a product with limited proven efficacy creates welfare costs that are difficult to justify. Stronger regulation and enforcement are needed.

What You Can Do

Avoid purchasing velvet antler or traditional medicine products containing it
Support welfare organisations campaigning for stricter velvet harvesting standards
Advocate for mandatory veterinary supervision and anaesthesia in velvet harvesting regulations
Raise awareness of deer farming welfare issues in traditional medicine supply chains