Hot dog debate
PUPPY love may soon be expressed in a restaurant close to you after a dogged battle.
In an effort to provide a nationally consistent approach to allowing pet dogs in outdoor dining, the Food Standards Code is finally up for review.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said he did not have a problem with outdoor dining.
He said it was up to businesses to decide whether they wanted to target dog lovers or not.
"I think on issues like this, people want government out of their lives and let the market decide," Mr Jamieson said.
Whether dogs should be allowed in outdoor dining has been one of the hottest issues in years.
BUT the code which prevents restaurant operators from making their own decisions regarding the presence of dogs in their outdoor premises is now being formally reviewed by Food Standards Australia New Zealand who is requesting public submissions on the proposal by June 13.
Long time pet- friendly advocate Suzanne Wright has hailed the request as a breakthrough for dog owners.
After three years of representations to state members and parliament she said:
"I'm ecstatic - this is what we have been waiting for."
She agreed that businesses should retain the final say in whether pet dogs were allowed in their restaurants.
Bust she was also pleased to see how Food Standards Australia New Zealand agrees with her.
The memo dated May, 2, 2012 states that: "A FSANZ risk assessment has found that the risk of food borne transmission of disease from pet dogs in outdoor settings to humans is very low to negligible."
Mrs Wright said people can go to a website page for submission writing details.
"It looks very complicated," she said.
"But basically the submission just needs to be simple and concise and as objective as possible with plenty of practical reasons."
WANT TO HELP?
Info available at: www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodstandards/changingthecode/informationforsubmission
Or if you have written a letter on this issue submit it by email to (with all the correct details) to
submissions@foodstandards.gov.au
