Code of Ethics

The Louisiana Agricultural Consultants Association (LACA) has established the following code to define the professional conduct and ethics binding on its members. A member recognizes that this Code of Ethics signifies a voluntary assumption of the obligation of self-discipline above and beyond the requirements of the law and will strive to uphold the honor and maintain the dignity of the profession.

Article I. General Principles

  1. The privilege of professional practice imposes obligations of morality and responsibility as well as professional knowledge.
  2. Each Member agrees to be guided by the highest standards of personal honor and professional conduct.

Article II. Relation of the Professional to the Public

  1. A Member shall avoid and discourage sensational, exaggerated, and/or unwarranted statements that might induce participation in unsound enterprises.
  2. A Member shall not knowingly permit the publication of reports or other documents for any unsound or illegitimate undertaking.
  3. A Member shall not give professional opinion or make a recommendation without being as thoroughly informed as might reasonably be expected considering the purpose for which the opinion or recommendation is desired; and the degree of completeness of information upon which it is based should be made clear.
  4. A Member may publish dignified business/professional announcement cards, but shall not advertise work or accomplishments in a self-laudatory, exaggerated, or unduly conspicuous manner.
  5. A Member shall not issue a false statement or false information even though directed to do so by a client.

Article III. Relation of the Professional Employer or Client

  1. A Member shall protect, to the fullest extent possible, the client’s interest insofar as such interest is consistent with the law and the member’s professional obligations.
  2. A Member who finds that obligations to a client conflict with his/her professional obligation or the law should have such objectionable conditions corrected or resign.
  3. A Member shall not use, directly, or indirectly, any client’s information in any way which would violate the confidence of the client.
  4. A Member shall not share or sell confidential data in an inappropriate manner.
  5. A Member shall not divulge information received in confidence.
  6. A Member shall engage, or advise clients to engage, and cooperate with other experts and specialists whenever the client’s interests would be best served by such service.
  7. A Member shall act fairly and justly toward vendors and contractors operating in a Member’s area of business, and shall advise clients to select products and services on the basis of merit and value to the client. Members shall not knowingly favor any one product or vendor, except on the basis of advantage to the client.

Article IV. Relation of Professional to Each Other

  1. A Member shall not attempt to injure the reputation of another.
  2. A Member shall freely give credit for work done by others to whom the credit is due and shall refrain from plagiarism in oral and written communications, and not knowingly accept credit rightfully due another person.
  3. A Member shall not use the advantages of state or federal employment to compete unfairly with another Member of the profession.
  4. Member shall endeavor to cooperate with others in the profession and encourage the ethical dissemination of technical knowledge.

Article V. Duty to the Profession

  1. A Member shall uphold this Code of Ethics by precept and example and encourage, by counsel and advice, other Members to do the same.
  2. A Member having positive knowledge of deviation from this Code of Ethics and/or the LACA Bylaws by another Member may bring such deviation to the attention of the Executive Board of LACA.