Australian Rugby Union officials were told today the
forthcoming Lions tour should not be threatened by the foot-and-mouth outbreak in Britain.
The British and Irish Lions are scheduled to play a three-Test 10-match tour of Australia in June-July and there had been fears the crisis could cause the tour to be cancelled.
But the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) told the ARU it was prepared to clear up to 10,000 incoming tourists for Lions matches.
"We understand there'll be greater scrutiny at customs with inbound passengers reminded of their duty to declare anything listed on their Customs cards," ARU communications manager Strath Gordon said.
"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."
AFP