I don't think we have a solution to that question yet. However our industry will never find alternative answers to this if we are spending all our time and resources defending its very existence. I think there is a solution out there but I don't think we have been given the chance to find that solution.
Every industry when presented with a problem like the one we face is given the opportunity, time, funding and support of our government to keep the industry alive while seeking a solution. The auto industry causes more harm to environment in one hour than non-native wildlife has caused in 30 years and yet they are given millions in grants to find alternative fuel sources while still operating as normal, Oil tanker spills have cause more devastation to native wildlife on US coast lines that any non-native wildlife and yet they are aloud to still keep business going while trying to develop better and safer methods of transport, The U.S. Government has released dozens of non-native plant and animals species on U.S soil for the purpose of draining the Everglades, or even releasing species of non-native giant rodent with the intent of controlling species another plant species of plant that they also introduce and that continue to cause problems for native flora and fauna. More so than any species the pet industry could ever remotely be attributed to. The mortgage industry is given bailout money to help find a solution to the housing market crash they they helped cause. More people die every year in DUI accidents than any other auto related death and yet the makers of alcoholic beverages aren't held responsible for the actions of those enjoy their products, Why are we? Car makers aren't held responsible or threatened with total lose of industry due to the thousands of auto deaths every year.
I can tell you the actual damage and harm that the non-native wildlife introduce by the same government to native flora and fauna far out weighs the "Threat" of what "might" happen if us exotic keepers are aloud to continue to keep our industry alive.
When is our industry going to be given the same amount of Governmental courtesy as these far more risky industry's? These are the questions law makers need to be presented with.
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