Brabant first province in Europe to become a Countdown 2010 Region and thereby declare its support to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010

_8 November 2004 ’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands._On the evening of Monday the 8 November, the Dutch Queen’s Commissioner, Mrs. J.R.H. Maij-Weggen revealed the province of Noord-Brabant to be the first in Europe to fully take on the global 2010 target to halt the loss of Biodiversity by becoming a Countdown 2010 Region. Countdown 2010 launched in May 2004 by The European Commission, the Irish EU Presidency, IUCN-The World Conservation Union and other Countdown 2010 partners, aims “that all European governments, at every level, have taken the necessary actions to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010″. The Queen’s Commissioner, Mrs. J.R.H. Maij-Weggen, released the exclusive news at the EU summit celebrating “25 Years of the Birds Directive” that is currently taking place in Bergen op Zoom in The Netherlands. Brabant identifies with the Countdown 2010 initiative because the initiative resembles the way the Province protects biodiversity. Examples are the pro-active concerted action of the public authorities, trade and industry, agriculture and NGOs and Brabant’s holistic approach to nature, culture, environment, flora, fauna, soil and water.