Right to Repair - Canadian farmers urged to take the Online Survey

Aug 13, 2024
By Jean-Paul McDonald
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

Ensure the unique considerations for repairability in this sector are addressed and farmers’ voices are heard

In Budget 2024, the federal government committed to launching consultations on the right to repair for products, including farm equipment. A consultation is currently underway to gather feedback from Canadians to help inform policy direction.

The online feedback period will be open until September 26, 2024.

The Government of Canada, through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), is seeking public input on a potential repairability policy for farm equipment as well as home appliances and consumer electronics. This initiative focuses on enhancing durability, repairability, and interoperability of consumer products.

The goal is to develop a policy that supports consumer choice, including options for authorized repairs by manufacturers, independent repairers, and self-repair by consumers.

The Right to repair aims to promote sustainability and support a circular economy by making it easier for consumers to repair and maintain their products.

To participate in the consultation, Canadians are encouraged to read the consultation document and complete the survey questionnaire, which is the preferred method. Feedback can also be submitted via email to isrighttorepair-ledroitalareparationsi@ised-isde.gc.ca.

Following the online feedback period, ISED and ECCC will conduct roundtable discussions with various consumer and industry stakeholders. Additionally, AAFC will host targeted discussions focused on farm equipment, addressing the unique considerations for repairability in this sector.

This consultation represents a significant step toward enhancing the repairability of consumer products and ensuring that Canadians have more options for maintaining and extending the life of their purchases.

Photo Credit: Freepik.com

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.