DEER ANTLER VELVET CLAIMED TO BE SAFE.

Health Products Business, September, 2000

In response to recent media stories questioning the safety of animal parts in dietary supplements for human consumption, the New Zealand Game Industry Board has issued information on deer antler velvet, a dietary supplement, in order to set the record straight.

Deer antler velvet is produced from the antler of the male deer, which regenerates every year. New Zealand is the world's leader in production of deer antler velvet. Deer are specifically farmed for their antlers. The animals are raised on large prairie lands, living within their herds, free to roam and graze on native grasses. The nation has never had a case of BSE ("mad cow disease").

Veterinarians and animal-welfare organizations tightly control the antler removal process in New Zealand. The...