BASIS apology for Agronomist who was wrongly disciplined

In February 2011 an agronomist was disciplined by the Professional Register Disciplinary Committee in relation to the advice he gave a farmer. He was accused of failing to inform the farmer in writing and in detail about [product use and restrictions and was given an official warning that his performance as a professional agronomist fell short of that expected of a Professional Register member.

BASIS accepts that there was no justification for the imposition of a formal warning. At the time of the alleged incident in 2002 BASIS accepts the agronomist in question did not contravene any professional rule or published guidance in the written recommendation that he provided.

BASIS also accepts that the hearing did not follow its Disciplinary Code and took place without notifying the agronomist that formal proceedings were going to take place, what evidence was to be considered, or, giving him the opportunity to attend. The proceedings and outcome were therefore void. ’BASIS has apologised to the agronomist concerned’ says BASIS Managing Director Rob Simpson.

The formal warning against the agronomist has been withdrawn and BASIS has undertaken that no further disciplinary action will be taken against their member in relation to the original complaint by the farmer.