Vegetarian food will be the new norm at the education ministry’s official dinner table, with carnivores and fish lovers having to register their preferences instead of the other way around, a ministry spokesman confirmed to DutchNews.nl on Tuesday.

Broadcaster NOS had stated earlier that vegan food would rule the roost at the ministry, but this is not the case, the ministry said.

‘The minister said yesterday that at the dinners she hosts, vegetarian food will be the starting point (so not vegan),’ the spokesman said.

‘Guests will be able to indicate if they would like meat or fish,’ the spokesman said. The change is being introduced immediately.

Animal welfare party Partij voor de Dieren has welcomed the move. ‘I think it’s great that the education minister has decided to set an example, MP Christine Teunissen said on the party’s website.

‘The cabinet admitted as early as 2015 that meat and dairy are the two most environmentally damaging elements in our diet. I hope other ministries will follow this sustainable example.’

The German government has already introduced vegetarian food as the norm at government dinners.