Rep. John Fleming, the chair of the House subcommittee on fisheries and wildlife, led a number of his colleagues in the House in dismissing the idea of adding the reticulated python, boa constrictor, Beni anaconda, DeSchauensee's anaconda, and the green anaconda to an existing rule banning the importation and interstate sale of four other species of snake. The committee held a hearing yesterday on the proposed ban, H.R. 511.

From the Tampa Bay Times:

Their staunch opposition greatly diminishes the chances that Congress will approve a bill to broaden the ban on invasive snakes that was proposed by U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, and supported by proponents of Everglades restoration.

Opponents cited evidence that these snakes die in cold weather and cannot move farther north to threaten other parts of the country. They said a nationwide ban on importation and interstate sales would thwart pet owners and pinch the livelihoods of sellers and breeders.

"Florida is handling a Florida problem that only exists in Florida," U.S. Rep. John Fleming, R-La., chairman of the House subcommittee on fisheries and wildlife, told witnesses at a hearing on Thursday.

[...]

A Florida member, U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Panama City, dismissed the proposed ban as "a solution in search of a problem." He said the bill amounts to an egregious attempt by an overbearing government to rein in helpless small businesses, jeopardizing a $1.4 billion reptile industry.

"I'm dumbfounded," Southerland said. "We got bigger fish to fry here than to target businesses. It's open season on businesses. It's open season on enterprise, on freedom."

To go into force, the bill would have to be approved by the committee, then pass the full House, a Senate committee, and the full Senate, all before Congress closes shop for the year in mid-December.

Read the full story here.

Photo: Tampa Bay Times