I am concerned that this…

I am concerned that this review will weaken protections for endangered and at-risk species. Economic development is good, of course, but making things easier for industry does not have the life-or-death significance of protecting endangered animals. The latter priority should never be sacrificed for the former. We have options, economically speaking; we are not, presently, fighting for our very survival. It is therefore incumbent on us not to outweigh our own needs against those of animals that do not get to have their say in this matter. We will continue to have economic opportunities regardless of the outcome of this review; but if the review leads to industry growth causing inadvertent extinction of some species, we will never get those species, or that biodiversity back. We need to choose lasting biodiversity over fleeting economic gains, and responsible stewardship over expedience for businesses.