Letter: Principled licking

Principled licking

Sir: British postage stamps and most envelopes are gummed with adhesives of plant origin; therefore licking them does not conflict with the principles of religious and vegetarian communities (letter, 29 November).

The assurances don't extend to materials used in the preparation and printing of the stamp. We continue research into likely alternatives from the plant world to replace sizes and gelling agents derived from milk, eggs, and products from renderers and fellmongers.

ALAN LONG

Vegetarian Economy and Green Alliance

Greenford, Middlesex