Man's best friend may soon be joining the reservation lists of Bay of Plenty bars and resturants.

Under the Food Bill, proposed by Minister of Food and Safety Kate Wilkinson now before Parliament, proprietors would have the right to decide whether pets are welcome in their bar or restaurant.

Restaurants and bars may soon have the right to choose whether pets are welcome in their premises.

The current Food Hygiene Regulations 1974 says 'no animal is permitted" on premises where food is prepared or sold but the new bill will require operators to take responsibility for food safety in an appropriate way for their businesses.

Under the proposal, all food operators who manufacture, sell or trade in food must be able to demonstrate safe food-handling practices.

Some Tauranga hospitality operators have already taken a relaxed approach to the rules, welcoming dogs on to their premises as long as they do not cause trouble.

Both The Crown and Badger Pub in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui restaurant and bar Imbibe allow dogs in the outside area of their premises.

Crown and Badger manager Paul Robinson says the establishment generally tries to keep dogs on the Wharf Street side and ensure they are not inside.

'We get a regular who brings his dog down and people throw a tennis ball around for it. There is nothing wrong with it.”

Imbibe duty manager Sandra Kuelbel says dogs are only allowed in their outside dining area. She doesn't see a problem with the proposal.

'As long as they are outside and well behaved and no other customers have a problem.”

Mount Mellick and Ivory owner Clayton Mitchell says this is the first he has heard of the proposal and believes it is 'PC stupidity gone mad”.

'Where's it going to end? Next there will be pet hamsters and all sorts.

'I don't think there's a place for pets in bars and restaurants. I'm not against pets being at the front of the premises and I'm more than happy to put out a bowl of water for them, but not inside.”

The bill is currently awaiting a second reading and if passed will replace the Food Act 1981.