As the law stands at the moment farmers can sell up to 5 litres of fresh milk a day per customer from the farm gate, an historical situation that made milk available to rural families who did not have ready access to milk.

But they have to have a risk management programme.

Now the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is trying to reduce that regulatory burden and has released a discussion document on options for continuing farm gate sales of raw, unpasteurised drinking milk.

Food Safety Minister Kate Wilkinson says MAF’s preferred option is to exempt farmers from a risk management programme, but they would still need to meet basic animal health and hygiene requirements and keep records of sales.

Ms Wilkinson says at the moment there is no proposal to permit the commercial sale of milk from the farm gate.

Submissions for the review close on December 5.