- The Washington Times - Wednesday, February 15, 2017

The Bank of England says it it too costly to scrap the rollout of new polymer bank notes that contain trace amounts of tallow, Sky News reported Wednesday. The use of the rendered animal fat had upset vegan groups, although one prominent organization says it appreciates the Bank’s transparency in addressing their concerns moving forward.

“Weighing the considerations below, the Bank has now concluded that it would be appropriate to keep the £5 polymer note in circulation and to issue the £10 polymer note as planned, in September,” the Bank said in a statement, according to Sky. 

The Bank of England further pledges that it will only roll out new £20 polymer notes after it’s found a suitable plant-based alternative to tallow and that it will hold public meetings for the public to weigh in with their concerns, Sky News said.

In response to the Bank’s announcement, a representative for The Vegan Society said she was pleased with the Bank for being “transparent in their response to this important issue.”

In a statement available at its website, the Society said it “look[s] forward to the consultation around the £20 note and hope that any future bank notes will be free from ingredients produced through harming animals.”

“We hope that other companies will follow this positive example and review the use of animals in their products,” the Society added.

On May 5, the paper £5 notes will no longer be legal tender, according to the Bank of England website. The Bank counsels Britons who find themselves with paper fivers after that date to exchange them for polymer notes at authorized outlets.

“If your local bank, building society or Post Office is not willing to accept them, then you can exchange them for new notes at the Bank of England,” according to the Bank’s website.

 

• Ken Shepherd can be reached at kshepherd@washingtontimes.com.

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