Agenda 21 Update: Labor Dept. Withdraws Child Labor Restrictions in Farm Bill

The Department of Labor  (DOL) has apparently heard the voice of the American farmer (and the American people) and backed off its plan to restrict or severely limit family members under the age of 16 from working on family farms.

The news was posted following extensive coverage on The Blaze and other sites, tens of thousands of comments posted on the DOL's website, and after a bi-partisan group of 98 Senators and Congressmen sent letters to Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, protesting the planned action.

The original rule claimed to be "protecting" young people. However, it was so restricting that minors working on their family's farms would not even be allowed to use a battery-powered screwdriver or a pressurized garden hose.

From the DOL statement:

"...the Department of Labor is announcing today the withdrawal of the proposed rule dealing with children under the age of 16 who work in agricultural vocations.

"The decision to withdraw this rule – including provisions to define the 'parental exemption' – was made in response to thousands of comments expressing concerns about the effect of the proposed rules on small family-owned farms. To be clear, this regulation will not be pursued for the duration of the Obama administration."

Many in the farming world were pleased with the promise that the push to ban younger family members from working on family farms would be taken off the table for the "duration of the Obama administration."

Senator John Thune of South Dakota, and a member of the Senate Agricultural Committee posted this statement on the news of the dropped restrictrictions:

“I am pleased to hear the Obama Administration is finally backing away from its absurd 85 page proposal to block youth from participating in family farm activities and ultimately undermine the very fabric of rural America, but I will continue working to ensure this overreaching proposal is completely and permanently put to rest,” said Thune. “The Obama DOL’s youth farm labor rule is a perfect example of what happens when government gets too big."

For almost a year, The Blaze has been covering the multi-pronged attack on America freedom known as Agenda 21. As this UN-driven plan for global socialization and more centralized control of land, energy, food sources, and ultimately all people, moves closer to celebrating its 20th anniversary, we expect additional regulations will be proposed,  designed to nudge America closer to the goals of the AG21 supporters.

And we will be watching and reporting as needed.