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TasFarmers says farmers deserve genuine choice over who repairs their machinery and how quickly equipment can return to operation. Photo by Ollie Mitchell.
Tasmania’s peak farming body has welcomed the Federal Government’s release of right-to-repair proposals aimed at strengthening farmers’ ability to maintain and repair machinery on farm.
TasFarmers said the proposed changes are long overdue.
When farmers spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on machinery and equipment, they should have a genuine choice about who repairs their machinery and how quickly they can get back to work.
TasFarmers Chief Operating Officer Neil Grose said delays during critical periods such as harvesting and planting can have a significant impact on farm businesses.
“Downtime costs farmers money, particularly during peak periods when every hour counts,” Mr Grose said.
“Giving farmers and independent mechanics access to diagnostic information, technical specifications and aftermarket parts will help drive down costs and improve competition in the market.”
“It means farm businesses can get machinery back in the paddock faster and keep operating when it matters most.”
“It’s about time this was sorted out. It has gone on too long and farmers have been constrained by cost and availability, particularly in regional areas where there is not a local factory-endorsed repairer.”
TasFarmers said improving access to repairs would strengthen productivity, reduce unnecessary downtime and help ensure agricultural businesses can continue operating efficiently during critical production windows.