Reindeer farm-bound after disease

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/kent/7133353.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A herd of reindeer has been left unable to travel this Christmas because of bluetongue disease restrictions.

Animals from the 110-strong herd would have appeared at events across England and Wales, but farm owner Sandra Fagg has been forced to cancel the bookings.

She said all the herd's work happened in the run-up to Christmas and the restrictions had come as a blow.

But she said people could still come to visit the reindeer at her farm in Bethersden, Kent.

"They come and see you with their big manes and their lovely antlers, and it's the picture of Christmas that you have in your mind," she said.

"We all want to be convinced that Christmas is real and magical, even the grownups who really enjoy it."

You have to try to take it in your stride Sandra Fagg

Reindeer events make up two-thirds of the farm's work.

Mrs Fagg, who has been in farming for 40 years, said: "We have 200 goats, but we had foot-and-mouth disease six or seven years ago.

"We also have birds, poultry and waterfowl for people to keep, and then we had two years of avian flu.

"They tell you to diversify and it's lucky we do."

With bluetongue, Mrs Fagg said farmers knew two years ago that it was expected, but "there was nothing we could have done".

The reindeer "provide a picture of Christmas"

"You have to try to take it in your stride, but it doesn't come any easier," she said.

"It's not only the cost of not earning. There's also the worry you could lose your animals."

Reindeer were first brought to Bethersden five years ago, because the Fagg family "love Christmas".

The reindeer earn their keep by touring the country in horse trailer boxes and in groups of three or four.

'Laid-back and lazy'

Bookings that had been due to take place this year were as far away as Cumbria, Birmingham, Liverpool, Somerset and Wales.

On the farm, they will sometimes be seen pulling a sleigh, but Mrs Fagg said she preferred not to exploit them.

In shopping centres the "laid-back and lazy" animals often sleep, she said.

She said her reindeer were "completely individual" and it was possible to tell them apart.

About 60 have been given names so far. More have been born this year and some of the babies were bottle-fed.