Lions tour safe: ARU
March 1, 2001

The Australian Rugby Union has received assurances from the Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service (AQIS) that there is no threat to the Lions tour of Australia as a consequence of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the UK.

There has been some media speculation regarding the tour following the postponement of the Wales/Ireland Six Nations rugby match scheduled for Cardiff this weekend.

However the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service has informed the ARU that no consideration has been given to prohibiting anyone from entering the country.

As many as ten thousand Lions supporters are expected in Australia from the end of May to follow the team on its ten-match tour. The tour takes in Perth, Townsville, Brisbane, Sydney, Gosford, Coffs Harbour, Canberra and Melbourne.

ARU Communications Manager Strath Gordon said AQIS had upgraded surveillance
but there is no suggestion of any more radical action.

"AQIS has told us that they are asking people to declare all foodstuffs, soils and sporting equipment and to declare whether they have visited any farms or non metropolitan areas," Gordon said.

"We understand there'll be greater scrutiny at customs with inbound passengers reminded of their duty to declare anything listed on their Customs cards."

The Lions tour kicks off in Perth, with the opening match against the Western Australian President's XV on June 9.

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