Proposed Agricultural Child Labor Laws Withdrawn

U.S. Department of Labor rules that would have redefined child labor laws for Americans have been withdrawn after much disapproval from agricultural families and organizations.

Under the proposed laws, children younger than 16 would not be allowed to work on farms owned by anyone other than their parents, and would not be allowed to use power-driven farm equipment. The proposed rules would have also banned anyone under 18 from working on feed lots, grain bins and stockyards.

Ag Commissioner Todd Staples today released a statement on the withdrawal of the proposal.

“Thousands of Americans stood up for parental rights and common sense to make a monumental impact on proposed governmental overreach that would have negatively affected agricultural families. Farms and ranches are where work ethic is developed and responsibility taught. These are good virtues for all young Americans. We need to send the signal that all work is honorable and expected. If we want our food produced here in America, we need more young people learning about agriculture, not fewer. I’m proud that farmers, ranchers and the American public stood up for common sense and were successful in forcing the withdrawal of these rules.”