The U.S. Department of Labor says it is withdrawing a proposed regulation that would prohibit youth from working on the farm.

Congressman Bill Owens said that he had been contacted by a young constituent from Watertown on the matter, and he wrote to the Department of Labor, urging a reversal of the proposal. He cosponsored legislation on the matter.

Earlier this month, Owens joined the New York Farm Bureau at a press conference in Albany to call on Labor to drop the proposed regulation.

"This is great news for youth interested in agriculture and family farms across New York State," the Plattsburgh Democrat said.

"I applaud this commonsense decision by the Department of Labor to reverse course on a regulation that would have been damaging to New York family farms," Owens said.

"Agriculture is vital to our region's economy and food security, and I look forward to continuing to work with New Yorkers to ensure Washington works for the farming community -- not against it."