I guess the author of the article never researched the effects that importing and selling non-native species as pets-such as Iguanas, Pythons and other snakes has had on the landscape and native wildlife in Florida-people get tired of their exotic pets when they grow bigger, unsafe to handle and are no longer “cute”-so they turn them loose in the wild spaces, where they breed and consume native vegetation and animals. i say stop importing any exotic-type animals for the pet trade from other countries...
I have lived with destructive invasive species for 30* years in south west Florida. The most troublesome species were introduced either directly or with the support of Florida government officials. The problem of destructive invasives will not be controlled by this. Government will continue to do what it pleases. The only real consequence will be the destruction of precious habitat and the extinction of species protected by skilled hobbyists.