PEARCE FIGHTS FOR FARM FAMILIES

Washington, DC (February 7, 2012) Today, Congressman Steve Pearce issued the following statement in response to the Department of Labor’s decision to reconsider their proposal seeking to restrict youth work in agricultural operations.  This retraction by the Administration is a result of strong pushback from rural and agricultural families.

“By attempting to regulate youth labor in agricultural industries, the Administration is undermining family farms in the United States,” said Pearce. “While it was a welcome decision that the regulation has been pulled back, the fact of the matter remains that this is an unnecessary action placed on hard working farmers and ranchers of America. Farmers and ranchers depend on sons, daughters and other family members to work, and youth working in agriculture learn tools of the trade as well as responsibility. I fully support the right for family farms to continue operations without the overreach from Washington.”

In December, Congressman Pearce wrote to Secretary Solis of the Department of Labor, in support of family farms and in opposition to the proposed regulation. His offices have heard concerns opposing this proposal from constituents throughout New Mexico’s Second Congressional District.