"Maybe farmers that don't do anything will get what they deserve," he said.
A farmer meeting was planned at the Southern Field Days site at Waimumu, near Gore, on February 11 and speakers would include North Otago farmer Jane Smith.
Listen to Jamie Mackay interview Laurie Paterson on The Country below:
At that meeting, there would be a discussion on what the options were "from here on in".
Further action was likely if no changes were made.
Making one set of rules for all farmers was "absurd"; it was a "big stick" approach with a whole lot of cost, he said.
While no politicians had been invited to the meeting, they were welcome to attend.
"We're not turning it into a political event. Groundswell is a grass-roots organisation," Paterson said.
Those interested in the "Rewrite the Essential Freshwater rules" can find it here.
