Sperm donors may seek contact with their children, court rules

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The landmark case involved a male same-sex couple who donated sperm to two lesbian couples. One of the men was the father of two children of one couple, while his partner was father to one child being raised by the second lesbian couple. The men both applied for contact with their children at a family court. The women contested the application but eventually lost. The ruling means that sperm donors can apply for contact with their biological children. Kevin Skinner, a solicitor who represented one of the lesbian couples, told The Guardian: "The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 for the first time ensured that same sex parents were recognised in the same way as heterosexual families.

"Although the judge's decision makes clear that the family unit should be protected, the possibility of sperm donors being able to apply for orders will be a scary prospect for many parents, both gay and straight.

"What is crucial is that anyone planning on having a child through the use of fertility treatment should make sure that proper plans are in place before the process begins."

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Burger King admit to finding traces of horse meat in their patties

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AppId is over the quota

Following revelations that contaminated meat was being used by supplier Silvercrest to make its burgers, the fast food giant has been using approved suppliers from Germany and Italy as a precaution.

While Burger King’s own checks on meat in its restaurants were negative, four samples taken from the Silvercrest plant in Co Monaghan tested positive for horse DNA.

Irish authorities said that its investigations have traced filler product used in the burger processing facility to a supplier in Poland. It contained a mixture of beef and horse offcuts.

Burger King said the failure to deliver 100 per cent British and Irish beef patties was a violation of contracts, and said it would no longer be doing business with the firm.

Diego Beamonte, vice president, global quality, at Burger King Corporation, apologised to customers over the controversy.

“While the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has stated that this is not a food safety issue, we are deeply troubled by the findings of our investigation and apologise to our guests, who trust us to source only the highest quality 100 per cent beef burgers,” he said.

“Our supplier has failed us and in turn we have failed you. We are committed to ensuring that this does not happen again.”

The Silvercrest plant, part of the Larry Goodman owned ABP Food Group, has also lost contracts with supermarkets Tesco, Aldi and the Co-operative Group.

The Ballybay processing factory, closed since the scandal broke two weeks ago, employed 112 people.

Experts from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) told the Commons Environment Committee on Tuesday that they cannot be sure if the contaminated burgers were being sold for more than a year. At least 10 million burgers were put into storage following the scandal.

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