Bank of England considers palm oil for £20 polymer notes

Switching from animal fat derivative may prove tricky as WWF issues caution over environmental impact of using palm oil

The Bank of England is considering plans to replace the animal fat in its polymer bank notes to assuage complaints from vegans and religious groups.

The Bank, however, risks running straight into another row, because the most practical alternative to animal fat, it says, is palm oil - and that is likely to spark protests from environmentalists unless it can be sustainably sourced.