Welfare of Farmed Deer in Velvet Antler Production Systems

Deer farmed for velvet antler in New Zealand, China, and Korea undergo antler removal procedures that cause significant acute pain without consistently adequate analgesia.

Key Facts

Approximately 1.2 million farmed deer in New Zealand and 50+ million in China are managed for velvet antler production
Velvet antler is removed while still growing and innervated — a procedure equivalent to amputation of living tissue
New Zealand requires analgesia for velvet removal; China has no such requirement in most provinces
Deer are prey animals with strong flight responses that make handling and restraint procedures highly stressful
Velvet antler is sold primarily into traditional medicine markets across Asia

Welfare Considerations

Velvet antler removal is one of the more dramatic welfare procedures in farming — the removal of innervated, growing antler causes pain that is difficult to underestimate. In jurisdictions requiring analgesia, welfare standards have improved measurably. In those without, the procedure causes intense acute pain across tens of millions of animals annually. The welfare case for mandatory analgesia is overwhelming, as is the case for consumer pressure on velvet antler products to support analgesia-compliant sourcing.

What You Can Do

Avoid traditional medicine products derived from velvet antler given the welfare concerns with production
Advocate for mandatory analgesia requirements for velvet antler removal in all producing countries
Support welfare certification schemes that require analgesia and low-stress handling for deer farming
Raise awareness of velvet antler welfare issues with traditional medicine consumers and practitioners