Even as federal agriculture officials waived stringent livestock checks on his nine reindeer, Santa Claus was officially cleared for entry into the United States. The US Department of Agriculture announced in a light-hearted statement that a "Mr. S.Claus" of the North Pole was free to enter the United States with his reindeer from December 24 to December 25.
"During this season of giving, USDA wants to do everything in its power to help Santa," said John R. Clifford, USDA's Chief Veterinary Officer.
"We agreed to waive the normal application fees and entry inspection/overtime costs, provided he winks his eye and wishes port personnel a Merry Christmas at the time of crossing."
Authorities also waived the normal health checks for Santa's reindeer -- provided they met certain alternative conditions.
"As a condition of entry, the reindeer must be certified by Santa Claus as never having been fed anything other than hay, sugar plums and gingerbread," the statement said.
"The reindeer must also be individually identified with microchips or official eartag identification, and must respond to the names Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph when interacting with port personnel.
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The reindeer would also be required to be "pulling a wooden sleigh that has jingling bells attached and is filled with brightly-wrapped gifts."
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The USDA's festive statement was in keeping with agencies who acknowledge the existence of Santa Claus, albeit with tongue firmly in cheek.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), which polices the skies above Canada and the United States, regularly tracks the progress of Santa Claus and his reindeer in realtime on its NORAD Santa Tracker (www.noradsanta.org).
Source-AFP