All Professional Agrologists are bound by a code of ethics.
The following BCIA Code of Ethics is a clear, concise and powerful statement. It presents the principles of ethical conduct to guide Professional Agrologists in their practice of agrology.
The Profession of Agrology demands integrity, competence and objectivity in the conduct of its members while fulfilling their professional responsibilities to:
· the Public
· the Employer or Client
· the Profession
· other Members
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CODE OF PRACTICE: A GUIDELINE TO THE
ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF AGROLOGISTS
The purpose of the following guideline is to clarify the intent of the Code of Ethics and the understanding of the nature of the professional obligations that arise from the Code of Ethics bylaw. Throughout, it is recognized that membership is a right granted by the public to the member to practice Agrology such that the public interest is served. It is also understood that, just as the individual Agrologist has an obligation to conduct business in an ethical and competent manner, colleagues and the Institute share the moral responsibility of protecting other Agrologists and the field of Agrology against any unfounded and unjust criticisms.
1. Among the Member's Professional Obligations to the Public is the Responsibility:
a) to practice only in those fields where the Agrologists’ training, ability and experience make them professionally qualified.
The public has given a right to professionals with the trust and expectation that those activities are undertaken with competence.
Agrologists will not make misleading statements regarding their qualifications.
Agrologists will actively pursue technical upgrading in order to remain competent their field of expertise.
Agrologists will make referrals to, seek advice from, and enter into partnerships with other professionals in situations which require expertise that extends beyond their competence.
b) to express a professional opinion only when it is founded on adequate knowledge and experience, and where Agrologists have an understanding of the situation and context against which the opinion is being offered.
Agrologists must clearly distinguish among facts, assumptions and opinions in their preparation of reports and professional statements. Professional opinions should be clearly stated and should include clear indications of the constraints within which opinion holds and the relevant qualifying circumstances, facts and assumptions.
Agrologists should exercise care that work they conduct cannot in any way be seen to support or make possible any morally suspect or illegal purposes. In the extreme, this caution might cause Agrologists to refrain from association with enterprises or individuals whose objectives and probity are subject to question.
Agrologists who act as expert witnesses and provide opinion evidence for the purpose of litigation should not take a partisan position. Agrologists must provide evidence as impartial experts, and must not do so as advocates of their client or employer. While acting as an expert witness, the role of an Agrologist is to assist the judge/jury/panel with technical matters that are beyond the expertise of the adjudicators.
c) to undertake stewardship of sound scientific principles in the practice of agrology within agricultural and natural ecosystems.
Stewardship requires the promotion of sound scientific principles in the face of complex choices involving a variety of relevant but not necessarily compatible factors. As good stewards of the practice of agrology Agrologists have a duty to consider a number of factors, while balancing those factors against the science of the situation. Factors may include: monetary matters, social values, the rational application of the requisite science, the lessons of valid experience, the impacts on the economic health of the community at large and the impacts on future generations. Because of the position of public trust, the duty of Agrologists is to uphold those professional scientific principles above and beyond the demands of employment.
Conflict may arise between Agrologists’ duty to uphold professional scientific principles and the duty to serve the needs of an employer or a client. Agrologists must distinguish between the role they play as Agrologists and the role management plays. Managers have prerogatives and privileges for making decisions based on a wider range of constraints than those that might be appropriate for Agrologists. Agrologists must not confuse the role of providing others with information upon which to base a decision, with the role of being responsible for making the decision, itself.
If Agrologists believe there is a serious conflict between the requirements of employment and their professional principles, they should inform and/or consult appropriate persons about the conflict. Agrologists may seek advice and support for their position from the Institute.
d) to extend public knowledge of agriculture and natural science and to promote truthful and accurate statements on sustainable agricultural and natural resource systems and environmental matters.
Agrologists should strive to develop appropriate involvement with schools, agencies and organizations insofar as such outreach activities can help ensure the dissemination and discovery of sound and appropriate knowledge of the practice of agrology in relation to agricultural and natural resource systems..
Agrologists should attempt to correct misleading or erroneous statements on
agricultural and natural resource matters whenever and wherever such statements are encountered.
e) to have proper regard for the safety of others in all work.
Agrologists must understand their obligation for promoting safety. Agrologists should consider the impact the exercise of their professional duties will have upon the health of the environment, industrial safety, the health of the consumer, construction safety, and the general operational safety of completed projects.
Agrologists must demonstrate concern for the immediate and long-term direct effects of agricultural and natural resource practices on the safety of workers by being aware of and evaluating risks.
2. Agrologists’ responsibility to the Client or Employer is:
a) to act conscientiously and diligently in providing professional services.
Agrologists should endeavour to put service above gain and excellence above quantity. If Agrologists become aware of errors or omissions in their work, they must report the same to his/her client or employer, and immediately work to remedy such errors or omissions.
b) except as required by law, to maintain the confidentiality of client and employer information unless given the explicit consent of the client or employer.
Agrologists should consider all information received from a client or employer as confidential unless such information is in the public domain. Information obtained during, and specific to, a professional contract situation is confidential and must not be disclosed to others or used by Agrologists outside that contracted situation without the consent of the client or employer. However, technical expertise gained by Agrologists through work may be used in subsequent projects without consent from other parties.
c) to obtain a clear understanding of the client's or employer's objectives.
Agrologists must clearly understand the objectives of the client or employer. Agrologists must make inquiries regarding such objectives to ensure that professional services are provided in the context of complete and accurate information. It is recommended that all oral communications material to the delivery of professional services be confirmed in writing.
d) to inform the client or employer of any action planned or undertaken by the client or employer that Agrologists’ believe is detrimental to good stewardship or in breach of known laws or regulations.
It is the duty of Agrologists to advise a client or employer of the consequence of questionable actions, and inform the client or employer of the facts that lead them to believe that the action is detrimental to good stewardship.
e) to refuse any assignment that creates a conflict of interest.
A conflict of interest exists where the duties and loyalty owed by Agrologists to one party are, or are likely to become, hostile to the duties or loyalty owed to another party.
Agrologists should not accept an assignment in which they have a personal or business interest unless that interest is disclosed and approved by the client or employer.
Where Agrologists are in a position of providing professional services to more than one party with different interests in the same or related matter, Agrologists must explain the significance of acting for more than one party to each of the affected clients or employers (the parties) and obtain the written consent of the parties to continue working for more than one party. If any of the parties fail to give their consent, Agrologists must then determine whether it is possible to act on behalf of a subset of parties without conflict. If conflict cannot be eliminated by acting only on behalf of some of the parties then Agrologists should advise all the parties that they cannot continue to act for any of them in the matter that generates the conflict of interest.
Agrologists must also advise the parties that no information received in connection with the common matter from one can be treated as confidential so far as any of the other parties are concerned.
f) to not accept compensation from more than one employer or client for the same work, without the consent of all.
Agrologists need to distinguish between the data or product, which becomes the property of the client, and the process or technical experience, which remains the property of the Agrologist.
3. The Agrologists’ responsibility to the Profession is:
a) to inspire confidence in Agrology by maintaining high standards in conduct and work.
Agrologists must keep in mind that the work of an Agrologist is continuously open for public scrutiny and it is the responsibility of each individual to build and maintain a positive image of the field and the profession. Not only must Agrologists perform their duties of employment to a high level of excellence, but the conduct of that member must also be of high standard.
b) to support activities for the advancement of the profession.
Agrologists have an obligation to participate in the activities of the provincial institute (i.e. meetings, elections, holding office, mentoring) as their situations and opportunities allow.
Agrologists need to be constantly aware they are professionals and should, by their conduct, provide a positive image of the profession. As Agrologist, they must also be prepared to personally promote Agrology in personal contacts and communication, and to participate in specific promotional initiatives organized by the professional organization.
c) Where Agrologists believes another individual may be guilty of infamous or unprofessional conduct, negligence or breach of the Agrologist Act or bylaws:
i) to raise the matter with that individual, and
ii) if not resolved or if otherwise deemed necessary, to inform the Registrar of the provincial Institute of Agrologists in writing.
Agrologists should ensure that the facts and understanding of the misconduct are correct. Consultation with a colleague or Registrar is encouraged if it may help clarify the issue. Agrologists should make every effort to raise and resolve the issue in a candid and professional manner. Agrologists should note that only in exceptional circumstances is it inappropriate to raise such a matter with the other Agrologist.
d) to state clearly on whose behalf professional statements or opinions are made.
Professional opinions or statements prepared by Agrologists are for specific situations and set of circumstances. The content of a professional opinion should include the context in which it is made.
e) to sign and seal only those plans, reports and other documents for which Agrologists are professionally responsible and which were prepared by them or under their direction.
Agrologists who affix their seal and/or signature assume responsibility for, and an understanding, of the documents. Agrologists must have exercised sufficient control and association with the documents in order to sign and seal them based on personal knowledge. Agrologists will not associate with documents, reports or statements that misrepresent, distort or omit material facts. Agrologists should familiarize themselves with information that details the procedures and protocols that are associated with the use and practice of sealing professional works.
4. A member's professional responsibility to other Agrologists is:
a) to abstain from undignified or misrepresentative public communication with or about Agrologists.
Respect, courtesy, honesty and good faith should characterize conduct between Agrologists. Direct and honest criticism between professionals is acceptable and professional debate is encouraged when characterized by fairness and propriety.
Agrologists should be courteous when criticizing the work of other Agrologists and be as careful with a colleague's reputation as they would their own.
Agrologists will not make statements or representation on behalf of the Institute without prior authorization.
b) to give credit for professional work to whom credit is due.
Agrologists should always acknowledge the work and contributions of others when directly using that work in whole or in part. Agrologists should clearly understand and appreciate that the unpaid use of marketable processes and technology developed by another Agrologist could jeopardize the other’s livelihood.
Agrologists will follow the rules and law of copyright. Agrologists will secure releases for any data, process or publication obtained from written or electronic sources.
c) to share knowledge and experience with other Agrologists.
Agrologists have a duty to new Agrologists and to the future of the Institute to be available as mentors.
Agrologists should offer and seek out constructive professional discussion and debates with colleagues to maintain a vibrant and progressive profession.
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