On April 26, 2012, in response to widespread protest from the agricultural industry, the DOL withdrew a proposed rule that would update the child labor agricultural hazardous occupations orders. The proposed rule, issued in September 2011, sought to provide greater protections to minors engaged in hazardous agricultural occupations. For more information on the proposed rule, see Legal Update, DOL Extends Comment Period for Proposed Agricultural Child Labor Regulations.

The DOL announced in a press release that it plans to work with agricultural groups to promote awareness of safety issues affecting young agricultural workers.