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NFU, AFPI applaud Deere right-to-repair settlement

The president of the National Farmers Union says John Deere’s right-to-repair settlement is a win for farmers and ranchers.

Rob Larew tells Brownfield, “There’s been a lot of promises made over the years from John Deere and others about truly opening access to farmers and independent repair shops to be able to repair equipment. But that’s never actually lived up to the promises.”

Deere and Company recently reached an agreement with the Federal Trade Commission and five states in a right-to-repair lawsuit. The settlement requires Deere, for the next 10 years and under the supervision of the FTC and the participating states, to provide farmers and independent repair providers with the same repair resources currently available only to Deere’s authorized dealers. Deere is also barred from discriminating or retaliating against customers who choose to repair their own equipment.

Larew says the settlement is a significant step forward and that NFU will continue fighting for a permanent, nationwide right-to-repair law that guarantees farmers fair and lasting access to the tools, parts and information they need.

“For all the farmers out there that have been delayed because of the inability to get something repaired quickly, the added cost of having to wait for a dealer, or a John Deere-authorized repair,” Larew said.

T.J. Wilson with the America First Policy Institute says the settlement will have a widespread positive impact.

“This is going to help the (FTC) deliver on its cost-of-living goals,” Wilson said. “It’s going to help the (Trump) administration deliver on its attempts to increase competition, as well as decrease burdens on farmers and ranchers.”

Wilson says it’s also a reflection of the administration’s crackdown on anticompetitive behavior that drives up what farmers pay for equipment, seed, fertilizer, and repairs.

Rob Larew:

T.J. Wilson: