A file photo of Santa Clause being the guest of honor at the Logan City’s annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony.
NORTH POLE – Children waiting for gifts from Santa Clause need not worry whether the man riding in a sleigh wearing a red suit will make it to their house.
The word is Santa’s reindeer would not be able to make it in and out of the country due to the strict laws of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
However, the government agency has given Santa Clause the green light to fly his reindeer pulling his sleigh in and out of the country to meet the needs of children on Christmas Eve.
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued Santa Clause a transit permit Thursday to Mr. S. Nicholas Claus of the North Pole, a distributor with Gifts and Good Cheer, Inc.
The permit will allow Santa’s sleigh-pulling reindeer free passage in and out of the country between the hours of 6 p.m. Dec. 24 and 6 a.m. on Dec. 25.
“USDA is delighted to grant Mr. Claus and his reindeer a special permit to enter the United States, ensuring a seamless journey for the joy they bring each holiday season,” Jenny Lester Moffitt, under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs, said in a news release. “We extend a warm welcome to Mr. Claus and recognize the vital role of U.S. milk and cookies in fueling his festive flight.”
The USDA’s chief veterinary officer who checks reindeer, Dr. Rosemary Sifford, said Santa’s reindeer all passed the required health inspections.
“At a recent inspection, the reindeer were found to be healthy and able to prance and paw with each hoof,” Sifford said.
The health certificate did list “a minor physical anomaly” for one reindeer with a red nose, Rudolph.
“However, APHIS indicated that Rudolph’s red nose, while bright, was normal for him and not a concern,” the USDA said.