"NFU is glad to see the DOL and US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) continued commitment to the safety of children, particularly on farms, which can be dangerous work environments.

“Farm safety is important to everyone involved in agriculture. In a recent report issued by USDA, workers under age 20 experienced 3,191 nonfatal injuries on farms in 2009, the latest year for which figures are available, down 36 per cent from 4,964 injuries in 2006. While this is a downward trend, the reality is that even one on-farm injury is one too many.

“While NFU supported elements of the proposed rule, education is a positive approach to this issue and we are committed to working with the DOL and USDA to develop educational programmes to reduce accidents to young workers and promote safer agricultural working practices.”