TOPEKA — Kansas officials say they’re relieved the federal government has abandoned proposed rules restricting farm work by children.

Speaking Friday in Topeka, U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran said the proposed rules lacked common sense. The Kansas Republican says pressure from farmers, ranchers and farm-state officials led the U.S. Labor Department to withdraw the plan.

Gov. Sam Brownback and Attorney General Derek Schmidt also welcomed the department’s move.

The rules would have banned children under 16 from using most power-driven farm equipment, including tractors. The rules also would have kept those under 18 from working in feed lots, grain silos and stockyards.

The federal agency had said it was trying to reduce deaths and accidents. Critics said the rules would have dramatically changed farm life.