The group adds that the draft curriculum does not mention reproduction again until the end of primary school when the guidance for teaching 10 and 11-year-olds says "they should find out about different types of reproduction, including sexual and asexual reproduction in plants, and sexual reproduction in animals".

BBC: Curriculum plan 'waters down sex education' experts warn

Population increase, over-consumption and galloping urbanisation have multiple consequences, including the increasing rarity of certain species of plants and animals, pollution, the over exploitation of land and the sea, as well as the spread of invasive alien species.

UNESCO: MEDIA SERVICES

An index of stories about genetically engineered plants and animals, including Aventis' StarLink corn.

FORBES: Bayer's Headaches

More than 60% of the 3, 000 species surveyed have declined over the last 50 years, including some much loved and familiar plants and animals like the lesser spotted woodpecker, the hedgehog, the natterjack toad and the High Brown Fritillary and Wood White butterflies.

BBC: Stark warning over the state of nature

Since then, flora has sprung up along the embankments, ballast, bridges and walls, creating meadows, wasteland and wooded areas in which a vast range of animals live: there are 220 species of plants and animals, including bees, butterflies, toads, hedgehogs, French oaks and sycamores, and 21 bird species, including the endangered spotted fly catcher.

BBC: In Paris, a New York-style High Line

She said trace contamination with other animals - including pig and horse - could take place at abattoirs and processing plants dealing with more than one species "even with thorough cleaning and good hygiene practice".

BBC: Horsemeat scandal: Public quizzed on contamination