The National Farmers Union (NFU) has expressed strong support for a lawsuit initiated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the attorneys general of Minnesota and Illinois against John Deere & Co. The legal action claims that John Deere's repair restrictions infringe upon competition laws. NFU, which has been actively advocating for farmers' rights to repair their equipment, had previously filed a formal complaint with the FTC.
"NFU filed a 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," stated 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."
The NFU has long supported efforts to ensure that farmers can access necessary tools, information, and software for machinery repairs. According to NFU, John Deere's policies limit farmers' ability to repair their equipment independently, compelling them instead to depend on a small number of authorized dealers. This situation has reportedly resulted in high costs and delays during crucial agricultural periods such as planting and harvesting.
A 2023 study conducted by the US Public Interest Research Group indicated that American farmers could potentially save up to $1.2 billion annually if manufacturers like John Deere ceased imposing such repair restrictions.
