A new code of welfare for deer: What does it mean for animals?

Codes of welfare are issued under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and are a major part of the animal welfare system - they set minimum standards and recommended best practices for how people should care for animals.

The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC), who advise the Minister on animal welfare matters, reviewed the existing code of welfare for deer farming in consultation with deer industry representatives, including the deer industry body, farmers, transporters and veterinarians. An updated code was approved and published in August 2025. It will take effect on September 8, 2025.

The revised code includes 60 new minimum standards and changes to 4 of the existing minimum standards. You can read more about the process of updating the code here.

SPCA makes regular submissions to government as part of its animal advocacy work, and the deer code was no exception.

The code was publicly consulted in October 2022, and SPCA highlighted the following issues:

• Shade and shelter: SPCA called for a clear requirement for shade and shelter, and advised that such a standard should apply to all pastorally farmed animals in New Zealand. We submitted evidence that shade and shelter is required not just for maintaining a comfortable temperature, but also for allowing normal behaviour.

• Velvet antler: SPCA opposes the routine amputation of velvet antler – you can read more about why here. In short, SPCA doesn’t support painful husbandry procedures being carried out where the main benefit is not for the animal itself. We submitted that this procedure should be phased out, or at least that pain relief solutions should be found for post-operative pain.

• Deer milking: The deer milking industry in New Zealand is small, but it has the potential to grow. While SPCA is not in principle opposed to milking animals, we are concerned that deer are not well adapted for milking. Milking deer currently requires an oxytocin injection at every milking session. We submitted that routine oxytocin use should be phased out, at least until such time as the industry can demonstrate (e.g. through scientific research) that milking deer can be done in a manner that meets their physical, health and behavioural needs.

SPCA additionally submitted on all other standards in the code including electric prodder use, painful husbandry procedures, fawns and fawning, and animal handling. If you’re interested in reading the full submission, please get in touch.

NAWAC develops a code report for the Minister which describes the reasons for its recommendations, the nature of significant differences of opinion, and recommendations for regulations. Here’s a summary of the final standards for the issues above:

• Shade and shelter: The final minimum standard for shade and shelter for deer does not require either shade or shelter. Rather, it states that “All deer must be provided with the means to minimise the risk of thermal stress.” SPCA is opposed to this vague requirement, and cannot find an explanation for why the words “shade” and “shelter” were removed.

• Velvet antler: The code inserts a new standard allowing the removal of velvet antler. Standards require that pain relief must be given during the procedure (but not afterwards), that blood loss must be minimised, and that the person removing antlers must either be a veterinarian or a person approved by the National Velvetting Standards Body. NAWAC noted that the industry has committed to undertake further research into pain after antler removal.

• Deer milking: The code inserts a new standard allowing milking of deer. It requires that the site for injecting oxytocin must be different on each occasion, and that the smallest practicable needle must be used. NAWAC has clearly signaled that the future direction of deer milking should be towards non-reliance of routine oxytocin administration.

The code of welfare comes into effect on 8 September 2025.

There are more codes of welfare on the way, including for dairy cattle, sheep and beef cattle, and pigs. SPCA will continue to speak out for improvements to welfare standards for every animal.

SPCA is also calling for the severely outdated codes of welfare for companion animals to be updated as soon as possible. You can take action to help us on our companion animal codes of welfare page.