German environment ministers have caused a food storm with their decision to ban meat and fish from official functions due to its potential environmental impact. Germany’s infamous sausages and traditional meat-heavy food options were nowher to be seen at a recent buffet as part of the German government’s “exporting green technology” symposium.

It was deemed inappropriate to features meat and fish as part of the menu with the German environment ministers wanting to lead by example when it comes to environmental sustainable consumption and the often controversial debate surrounding the consequences of eating meat and fish.

Taking with The Guardian about the decision for the vegetarian spread, German environment ministry spokesperson Michael Schroeren said: “We decided to take the symbolic step to ban meat and fish at external events because we want to practice what we preach.”

The lack of meat seems to have caused a political stir though with Germany’s food minister and member of the conservative Christian Social unio (CSU), Christian Schmidt, hitting back.

“With us there won’t be a veggie day through the back door. Instead of paternalism and ideology I stand for variety and freedom of choice,” he said.

His comments also related to 2013 before the last German elections when the Green Party suggested a weekly vegetarian day wher canteens across the country do not serve meat. However, this part of the campaigns was generally considered to backfire and was partly responsible for the Party only gaining 8.5% at the election.

It seems the meat debate is rearing up again ahead of Germany’s next elections in September.