§ Miss Maynardasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what protection against the unauthorised removal of antlers in velvet exists for deer kept in zoos, wildlife and safari parks and other land not classified as agricultural land which are outside the scope of the Agricultural (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1968 as amended by the Welfare of Livestock (Deer) Order 1980; and whether he will list the legislation providing protection for such deer.
§ Mr. RaisonThe Removal of Antlers in Velvet (Anaesthetics) Order 1980 prohibits the removal without anaesthetics of the antlers in velvet of any live captive or domestic deer in Great Britain, except as first aid or when authorised for scientific purposes. Since the introduction of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (Schedule 3 Amendment) Order 1980 no one in the United Kingdom other than a qualified veterinary surgeon is allowed Ito remove the antlers in velvet from any live deer, except as first aid. Protection is also given to captive deer by the Protection of Animals Acts 1911 and 1912 and to feral deer, although not in regard to the removal of antlers in velvet, by the Deer Acts 1963 and 1980.