It is said that the notes contain a 'trace' of tallow. 

Technically a trace is less than 100 parts per million, a fiver weighs 0.7 grams making the tallow content approximately 0.00007grams.

I am willing to bet not one person who signed the petition has the slightest idea of just how little is in the notes.

Unfortunately these days the internet is full of social justice warriors only to eager to sign petitions and loudly complain without actually looking properly at the thing they are complaining about.  Many protest on behalf of others, not necessarily themselves, whether those others would be unhappy or not.

I would agree minorities should not be ignored but it is important to check at least they have a case.

As suggested earlier, there are probably many items which have trace amount of animal products in them and which vegans etc, know nothing about.    The Vegan Society themselves do not insist all such traces are absolutely forbidden regardless of the circumstances.