Fetterman and Colleagues Unveil Farmers’ Repair Rights Bill
U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) introduced the Freedom for Agricultural Repair and Maintenance Act, known as the FARM Act, on March 15, 2024. Joining him were Senators Peter Welch (D-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). This bicameral legislation aims to empower farmers by granting them the right to repair their own equipment, thereby fostering competition in the agricultural repair market.
The proposed legislation mandates that farm equipment manufacturers provide crucial documentation, parts, and software to farmers and independent repair shops. This shift is designed to restore autonomy to farmers, allowing them to maintain their equipment without relying on manufacturer-approved service centers, which are often costly and distant.
Legislators Highlight Urgency for Farmers
Senator Fetterman emphasized the impact of equipment failures on farmers’ livelihoods. “For farmers across Pennsylvania, a broken tractor right before a harvest can ruin months of hard work. Time is money,” he stated. He further expressed pride in collaborating with his colleagues on this bill to protect farmers’ rights.
Senator Welch added, “Farmers are fixers. It only makes sense that they should have the right to repair their own equipment, which is vital to saving money and maintaining operations.” He noted that current limitations force farmers in Vermont to waste valuable time and resources seeking external repairs, even when they possess the skills to fix the issues themselves.
Senator Warren echoed these sentiments, asserting, “Farmers work tirelessly to feed this country. They shouldn’t have to wait weeks and pay exorbitant prices for repairs.” She described the FARM Act as a commonsense solution that combats manufacturers’ practices and could save farmers billions annually in repair costs.
Economic Burden on Farmers
The exploitation of the agricultural repair market has resulted in significant financial losses for U.S. farmers. In 2023, these losses amounted to an estimated $4.2 billion, with $3 billion attributed to tractor downtime and $1.2 billion due to excessive repair costs. The FARM Act outlines the information that Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) must provide to facilitate repairs. If manufacturers lack the necessary tools, they are required to supply adequate information to create them.
The bill also empowers the Federal Trade Commission to enforce compliance with these requirements and to establish rules for effective implementation.
Support for the FARM Act extends beyond legislators. Organizations such as the National Farmers Union and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG) have endorsed the initiative. Todd Hardie, a Vermont grain farmer and president of the Northern Grain Growers Collaborative, expressed the urgency of timely repairs, stating, “When we’re forced to wait days for the equipment dealer to come to the farm for repairs, we often lose the opportunity to replant on time.”
Rob Larew, President of the National Farmers Union, noted the significance of the legislation in ensuring fair access to repair resources. “This bill levels the playing field for our family farmers and ranchers,” he said, commending Senators Welch, Warren, and Fetterman for their leadership.
Nathan Proctor, Senior Director of U.S. PIRG’s Right to Repair Campaign, stressed the importance of allowing farmers to fix their equipment. “Too many farmers have told us that they are not able to fix their own equipment, even some that have paid thousands of dollars for repair tools,” he said, calling the FARM Act a critical step toward empowering farmers.
Senator Fetterman has consistently championed competition in rural communities and prioritized farmers’ needs. In a January 2022 op-ed, he articulated his stance on the right to repair, asserting that farmers should have the freedom to repair the equipment they own without reliance on manufacturers.
The FARM Act represents a significant move towards enhancing farmers’ rights and alleviating the financial burdens imposed by current repair limitations. The full text of the bill is available for review.
