By Alexandra Wood via SWNS
A town had to cancel its Christmas “Rudolph visits” due to restrictions caused by a viral disease in reindeer.
The reindeer, which have traditionally accompanied Santa at the Festivals of Christmas in Beverley, Yorkshire, have been banned from taking part due to government restrictions.
Set to take place on Dec. 8, the reindeer travel from the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre in Scotland, but due to transmission of the bluetongue virus in East Riding of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, it has no longer become safe for the deer to do so.
Bluetongue is a notifiable insect-borne viral disease that affects sheep, cattle, other ruminants such as goats, and camelids such as llamas.
Councillor Nick Coultish, cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism at East Riding Council, said: “We are disappointed that the reindeer will not feature at this year’s festival but as the welfare of the animals is of upmost importance, we have been directed by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs that they are unable to travel into our area.’’
“The festival will now feature an additional live ice carving sculpture in Saturday Market and Santa will still be in attendance to spread Christmas cheer at this wonderful time of the year, along with over 125 stalls offering a range of food, drinks and Christmas gifts.”
