As the ‘right to repair’ debate comes to Montpelier, lawmakers face a ‘flood’ of opposition from national interest groups

Mar 23, 2023

When Zachery Emerson, a Groton-based logger, needs to fix his forestry equipment, it’s rare that he can make the repair himself or hire a local mechanic to do the work.

It’s not that they don’t know how. The issue is that, nowadays, equipment manufacturers keep a tight lid on who is able to obtain the machine parts, diagnostic tools and computer codes needed to repair modern logging and agricultural equipment, forcing owners to turn to manufacturer-certified technicians to get the work done.

“Today's equipment is totally mechanized … Whereas, back in the ’80s and ’90s, it was more mechanical and a lot more hydraulic,” Emerson told VTDigger. “Guys could work on it with wrenches and fix it, compared to today's age, where you need those technical tools to be able to diagnose any trouble that you have.”

As a result, Emerson needs to transport his heavy machinery to a dealership for work or pay for a certified technician to travel to Groton to make repairs. In a weather-dependent industry, he said, such travel takes precious time; farmers quite literally have to make hay while the sun shines. And while a local mechanic charges roughly $80 per hour for work, Emerson said a specialist could cost upward of $190 per hour.

Click here to see more...

Video: When is Sustainable Packaging Coming in the Canadian Agri Food Industry? 3 Critical Perspectives

Canada’s regulatory landscape on single-use plastics is complex but a recent ruling by the Federal Court of Appeal sided with the government’s intent to eliminate single-use plastics. What does this mean for the Canadian agri-food industry? How can companies find the right balance between regulatory compliance and implementing costly alternative solutions? What are retailers and consumers saying about sustainable packaging? This webinar features Joshua Goodman, Head of Corporate Sustainability, Sobeys; Marie-Anne Champoux-Guimond, Director of Sustainability, Keurig Dr Pepper Canada and Glenford Jameson, Canadian Food Lawyer, G.S. Jameson and Company

This 60-minute webinar brings together three industry leaders to examine the opportunities, challenges, and realities of the path forward. In this session, you will gain insights into:

•Canada’s regulatory roadmap and timeline on eliminating single-use plastics

•Current end-of-life solutions for plastics and alternative packaging solutions

•The need to have a corporate strategy that aligns with reality at the retail shelves

•How major brands and retailers are pivoting

•Supply chain considerations

•Common misconceptions