What is the 'Right to Repair' and how does it affect farmers?
Marilyn Batzel Ison, The Farm-to-Table Lady  There are two House bills that have been introduced and read by the Missouri House of Representatives. They are Missouris Consumer Electronics Right to Repair Bill, HB 1118, and Farm Repair Bill, HB 975, and both bills have a direct effect on Missouri farmers. They require manufacturers to provide consumers or farmers with access to service information, diagnostic tools and affordable replacement parts so they can fix their devices and machinery quickly so they can get back to work when machinery breakdowns occur. However, tech giants and manufacturers like Apple, Microsoft, AT&T and John Deere are not happy with this idea, even though the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) of 2015 made it legal for farmers to "hack" the computers on their tractors and combines for the purpose of repair, these giants of the industry are still not in compliance. Software modification is still against John Deeres terms of service, which was updated soon after the DMCA ruling. Despite this, many farmers are turning into activists out of necessity. The Fair Repair Act gives an individual the ability to purchase the diagnostic tools and take the tractor or combine to a local repair person for the repairs, or to try to repair the equipment themselves. Apple, Microsoft and AT&T showed up at a hearing in Lincoln, Nebraska, when Senator Lydia Brasch introduced the Fair Repair Act bill there, which in itself was a bit concerning. was the question Senator Brasch had. They showed up because the "Right to Repair" bills affect all electronic equipment, including cell phones, computers and, of course, tractors and combines. The tech giants stated that the Right to Repair bill wouldnt only affect the state of Nebraska but everywhere their products are sold. They wanted to stop Senator Brasch from introducing the bill for Right to Repair. The reason given was that it would open a mecca for hackers, which Senator Brasch stated that she did not believe it would. When you buy a cellphone, computer or farm machinery, consumers should have the right to access repairs wherever or however they choose. After all, they own it or should. Unfortunately, these companies would like to maintain a monopoly on repairs; therefore, you dont own what you think you own, and you dont have the rights you are supposed to have. Farmers want the basic right to repair what they own, either locally or doing the work themselves. One Nebraska farmer was going to have to pay a trucking bill of $1,000 just to have his massive combine hauled to the dealership for repairs, and another $1,000 to have it hauled back to his farm. Thats before any technical diagnostics would begin and before any repairs were done. Some farmers have been forced to purchase pirated or hacked diagnostic software from European countries to try and diagnose or repair their own equipment. Farmers are not disposable society oriented. My husband and I have been involved in one facet of farming or another for over 50 years. We have always had the freedom to choose how or where to repair our equipment. Farmers usually keep some of their older equipment as a backup if it is still operable. They have always been able to repair their own equipment, but when all of the technical bells and whistles became standard on newer equipment used to produce and harvest our food supply, the tech giants decided this was a way to monopolize this industry. These machines cost more than you can imagine. In my research, I found John Deere tractors, depending on size, begin at $25,000 and go up to $150,000. Combines run between $380,000 and $480,000, however, they can be upwards of $500,000-$600,000. New farm machinery has embedded firmware all over them, so you need the software in order to activate it and calibrate it. You cannot even turn it on without that software. Manufacturers have compiled agreements that consumers cannot understand or negotiate, so farmers are duped many times. Companies can put anything in their agreements, but do not limit the rights of the buyer/owner to repair their equipment. Ultimately, if you own something, you should have the right to decide how long you want to use it, how much help you need using it, and should be able to repair it or customize it with the mechanic you choose, and do whatever you want with it because its yours. If the Nebraska HB 67 passes in that state, this will not only be a beginning for the industry of farm machinery but for appliances, etc., opening the doors again for independent repair shops. There are 20 other states, including Missouri, that have introduced and are reviewing the Right to Repair bill now. Advocates say if just one bill passes, it can help set the precedent for industries everywhere. Fight for your right to repair. Find out who your Missouri state representatives are and tell them you support HB 1118 and HB 975; tell them you believe repair should be fair, affordable and accessible. Stand up for the right to repair in Missouri. If you are not a farmer but like to purchase local food, this affects you also. Help save the farmers so we continue to have a strong local food supply, and notify your Missouri state representatives that you also support HB 1118 and HB 975.