Source: National Farmers Union (NFU) news release
WASHINGTON – National Farmers Union (NFU) proudly supports the lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the attorneys general of Minnesota and Illinois against John Deere & Co., alleging the company’s repair restrictions violate competition laws. NFU filed a formal complaint with the FTC and has long been at the forefront of the fight for farmers’ right to repair.
“NFU filed the formal complaint with the FTC to uphold farmers’ basic economic right to repair their own equipment. Today’s lawsuits mark a key victory in this fight for family farmers and ranchers, recognizing that monopolies should not stop farmers from being able to repair their own equipment,” said NFU President Rob Larew. “When we prevail, farmers will have the power and freedom to fix their equipment faster and at a lower cost. We commend the FTC on this decisive step to safeguard farmers’ rights.”
For years, NFU has championed farmers’ rights to access the tools, information and software necessary to repair their own machinery. John Deere’s repair policies block farmers from fixing their own equipment and force them to rely on a limited number of dealers. This had led to exorbitant costs and significant operational delays during critical planting and harvesting periods.
A 2023 study by the US Public Interest Research Group found that U.S. farmers could save as much as $1.2 billion a year if manufacturers like John Deere stopped imposing repair restrictions.
About NFU
National Farmers Union advocates on behalf of more than 230,000 American farm families and their communities. We envision a world in which farm families and their communities are respected, valued, and enjoy economic prosperity and social justice.
Learn more about us at NFU.org.
