THE NRL has announced a tough new doping regime that includes the introduction of biological passports.

"Today we make a clear statement that there is no place for drugs in our game," NRL CEO Dave Smith said.

Smith described the move as a "very significant step up" in the testing procedures of the NRL.

The regime includes:

* THE introduction of biological passports, which can detect the use of drugs even once they have left the system. The Athlete Biological Passport program won't cover every NRL player but will cover a cross section and will be guided by ASADA;

* A THIRTY per cent increase in testing;

* INCREASED testing for peptides, including sending samples to Cologne, Germany, to take advantage of advanced testing procedures; and

* INCREASED testing for human growth hormone, including sending samples to London, England, to take advantage of advanced testing procedures introduced for the London Olympics.



The NRL worked with ASADA to develop the system.

"The NRL's anti-doping program is as comprehensive as any in world sport and was tailored to meet both emerging threats in doping, while providing an ongoing deterrent against substances and methods prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency," ASADA CEO Aurora Andruska said.

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