Bank of England to KEEP animal fat in bank notes, despite complaints

BANKNOTES will continue to contain traces of animal fat, the Bank of England said today.

The use of tallow - which comes from cows and sheep - in new polymer notes has been criticised by some vegans and religious groups.

More than 130,000 people signing an online petition last year calling on the BoE to stop using animal fats.

Some Hindu temples and vegetarian cafes refused to accept the new five-pound note featuring World War Two leader Winston Churchill, which the BoE says is more durable and harder to fake.

But today the Bank said that future production of the new plastic £5 note and £10 notes, plus the £20 which is set to be launched in 2020, will not be changed.

The Bank said that it ";has not taken this decision lightly".

It said: "After careful and serious consideration and extensive public consultation, there will be no change to the composition of polymer used for future banknotes."

More than 3,500 people responded to the Bank's consultation, including 88 per cent of people who objected to animal fat being used in the production of notes.

But many were not keen on the alternatives either, with 48 per cent opposed to usage of palm oil and 31 per cent against the use of both fats.

The Bank said that "value for money" was also part of its decision, as switching production of the note would cost an extra £16.5million over the next 10 years.

It added: "The Bank has consulted with HM Treasury, as the ultimate bearer of this additional cost is the taxpayer.

"HM Treasury advised the Bank that it does not believe switching to palm oil derivatives would achieve value for money for taxpayers."

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