The NY Department of Agriculture is apparently following MA, ID and several other states that have ‘volunteered’ their citizens for NAIS:
At the moment, NAIS is ‘voluntary’. It’s so voluntary that I recently received (without requesting it) a Certificate of Registration, complete with my address (it looks like a diploma). “This certificate recognizes your completion of premises registration for the National Animal Identification System. The number below will be a permanent national number and will be needed in future endeavors relating to the NAIS program.” This was was sent to me from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Division of Animal Husbandry. I DID NOT REGISTER FOR NAIS.
In small print (on the back of an accompanying form that I am supposed to fill out with quantity of each type of animal), it states that, ‘if I decline to participate in the National Animal Identification System program I must sign on the signature block below…’ and return the form to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets. It is such a voluntary program that it automatically signed me up, gave me a number, and did NOT give me a stamped return envelope. I think that was a little sneaky. I do a lot of volunteer work, but “I” do the volunteering.
-TimesUnion FarmLife
Go read the original on Teri’s blog where there is more discussion.
Hat tip to CJ.