A new by-law looks set to prevent North Yorkshire farmers employing their own children for occasional work until they become teenagers.

The county council is preparing to replace a 1980 by-law that permits children aged 10 and over to do light agricultural or horticultural work in the company of their parents or guardians.

The leader of Britain's biggest farmers' union has spoken out against the changes, saying they will cause problems at busy periods when children have traditionally done their bit to help out.

Ryedale District Council's environment, health and housing committee will debate the implications of the proposed new by-law on Thursday.

Steve Oldridge, Ryedale's deputy director of operations, says a model by-law issued by the Department of Health would continue to allow children aged 10 and over to be employed on an occasional basis.

"North Yorkshire County Council appears to have deleted this provision. The reason for this may be that it is Government policy to ratify the International Labour Organisation convention number 137 of 1973 called Minimum Age For Entry Into Employment.

"This will probably mean the repeal of the power under Section 18(2) of the Children & Young Persons Act 1933 permitting children under 13 years of age to work."

Mr Oldridge states: "It is unlikely that this will happen in the next two years, having regard to the Government's heavy legislative programme.

"Nevertheless, North Yorkshire County Council may consider it advisable for the sake of clarity to omit authority to employ children aged 10 and over."

National Farmers' Union president Ben Gill, who farms at Hawkhills, near Easingwold, said: "It would cause problems for people at busy times of the year, particularly those with stock. At lambing time, children traditionally work and help out.

"This is a typical example of petty bureaucracy interfering with what is a very practical life."

Mr Gill said he was not aware of other local authorities introducing by-laws that pre-empted any Government move to repeal the rule allowing children under 13 to work.

North Yorkshire's draft by-law would:

ban children who are not yet aged over 16 from working in specified occupations;

restrict the employment of children aged 13 to certain categories of light work;

authorise the employment of children aged 14 and over to do light work, and;

require employers to apply for an employment permit within a week of taking on children who are not yet aged over 16. The draft by-law states that employment includes assistance in any trade or occupation which is carried on for profit, whether or not payment is received.

It says children aged 13 or over may be employed in light work in agriculture or horticulture; delivering newspapers, journals and other printed material; shop work, including shelf-stacking; hairdressing salons; office work; cafs or restaurants; riding stables, kennels and catteries; or domestic work in hotels.

But it bans children from street trading; working in cinemas, theatres, discotheques, dance halls and nightclubs; selling alcohol, except in sealed containers; delivering milk; delivering fuel oils; working in a commercial kitchen; and telephone sales and canvassing.

The maximum fine for contravening such a by-law is currently £1,000.

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