德国政府研讨会摆“素宴”引不满
Politicians stormed out of a buffet at a German government symposium on "exporting green technology" in Berlin this month when meat was not served, a media report said on Saturday.
据媒体上周六报道，2月在柏林举行的“出口绿色技术”的政府研讨会上，会议自助餐摆“素宴”，不少政界人士表示不满。
Instead of the salami rolls, cocktail sausages or goulash soups one would ordinarily expect at similar functions in the German capital, the lunchtime menu offered Belgian endives with caramelised apple and a soya vegetable lasagne, the Guardian reported.
The vegetarian spread was the first manifestation of the German Environment Ministry's decision this month to became the first government agency to take meat and fish off the menu at official functions, citing a need to lead by example when it comes to environmentally sustainable consumption and the "consequences of consuming meat".
"We decided to take the symbolic step to ban meat and fish at external events because we want to practice what we preach," ministry spokesperson Michael Schroeren told the Guardian.
"For us it was a matter of credibility".
Christian Schmidt, Germany's food minister and a member of the Christian Social Union (CSU), immediately slammed Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks.
He said: "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."