THE Right to Repair is back on the domestic agenda with the National Farmers' Federation calling on the federal government to fast track legislative reform allowing farmers to repair their own machinery.
A recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was reached between John Deere and the American Farm Bureau Federation enabling US farmers the option to purchase software diagnostic tools and take the machinery to a dealer of their choice or repair the equipment themselves.
However no such arrangement currently exists in Australia, leaving farmers hamstrung when an authorized repairer isn't available.
The NFF hopes that recent developments in the States will rectify this situation, opening up the discussion on reform.
Gary Northover, executive director of the Tractor and Machinery Association of Australia, said that the TMA and the National Farmers' Federation had previously discussed the development of such an MoU, but would wait on the federal government's next steps before advancing.
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"The Right to Repair matter has yet to advance any further in this country, however me may see something this year," said Mr Northover.
"Regarding the John Deere Memorandum of Understanding in the United States, we see this as a reaffirmation of the industry's position that we fully support a farmer's right to repair, but not to modify.
"These machines are often complex and set up to operate safely while optimising performance.
"Modifying them creates significant safety risks."
The TMA has previously expressed concern that repairs made by people who don't have the required training may result in machines not being fixed correctly the first time.
This in turn could lead to increased downtime and further breakdowns, creating knock on effects that could be expensive to remedy.
"John Deere – along with others in the industry – has been providing diagnostic tools to enable a user to analyse faults for some time," said Mr Northover
"This position has been further clarified by the MoU.
"On the subject of business with third party providers, this is something the local industry fully supports.
"Indeed, many dealers currently find that these businesses are in fact among their largest customers at present."
