Earlier this week, MPs from the Green Party and Social Democratic Party proposed raising the seven per cent rate of VAT on meat to 19 per cent.

The move, they said, would tackle climate change by reducing meat consumption and increase funding for animal welfare.

However, politicians across the left-right spectrum said the measure would have too great an impact on consumers, with a standard packet of bratwurst likely to go up in price by 29 cents to €2.88, The Times reports.

The proposals have now been abandoned amid concerns from German party leaders that it could become politically toxic.