Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin has granted a special 24-hour permit, waiving routine identification and other health requirements, for nine flying reindeer to visit the state on the evening of Thursday, December 24, and during the early morning hours of Friday, December 25.

The permit application to travel into and through Georgia was filed this week by veterinarians at the North Pole on behalf of the owner of the reindeers, a local toy maker, who signed the paperwork "Kris Kringle."

Identification, laboratory testing, and certificates of veterinary inspection are required by the state to assist officials in protecting animal health by preventing the introduction of exotic diseases.

Moreover, responding to concerns from prior years that vehicles traveling from other parts of the globe can introduce foreign pests and invasive plant species to an area, Kringle stated that his sleigh and reindeer will be treated liberally with a natural repellant, comprised of cosmic dust.

The reindeer named on the permit are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen, and Rudolph.

"After consulting with Dr. Carter Black, state veterinarian, and Dr. James Sutton, assistant commissioner of the agriculture department's plant industry division, I concluded that these reindeer do not pose any threat to Georgia agriculture or any of the bio-security measures designed to prevent animal diseases from coming into the state," said Commissioner Irvin. "It was explained to me that these reindeer will be moving quickly, will only prance and paw on rooftops, and will not be intermingling with any Georgia livestock."

"Usually, only a few creatures are stirring that night - not even mice," Dr. Black added.

In closing, Commissioner Irvin said, "We are pleased to grant the temporary waiver to Mr. Kringle. I, along with the employees of the department of agriculture, wish him safe travels as he and his reindeer make deliveries to the good children of Georgia."