The Otago Regional Council stands to lose the respect of farmers unless its prosecutions against dairy farmers for effluent breaches are seen as fair and it should also consider the effects a criminal conviction could have on people new to the industry, Clutha's rural watchdog told councillors yesterday.
The Clutha Agricultural Development Board also expressed concern at the processes used by council staff that may catch farmers out with isolated breaches of a technical nature or even through sheer accidents.
Several South Otago farmers have appeared before the courts in the past two years, facing charges relating to the disposal of effluent.
The board was one of two submitters to the council's draft long-term council community plan to speak at a hearing in Balclutha.
Board chairman Neil Cullen and projects manager Malcolm Deverson urged the council to consider the consequences for young farm managers who often found themselves in situations they could not foresee.
"We do not believe a criminal conviction is appropriate for such one-off accidents.
They are not, in our opinion, in the same league as bank robbers, drug traffickers and fraudsters."
They also said council staff need to ensure they act in a safe and professional manner at all times.
The board had informally heard some were coming on to farms unannounced and were showing a lack of "communication skills".
Both men also believe many of the prosecutions were not helping create the right kind of profile for the dairy industry.
"We believe it is unhelpful to the work of all farmers when these prosecutions take centre stage and the negatives as they relate to a very small minority are given undue publicity."
Clinton farmer Brent Mackie attacked the council's plans for new Dunedin harbourside buildings, telling councillors now was the time to be tightening the belt and not spending on unnecessary projects.
