A provision of the 1974 amendments to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) prohibited children under the age of 12 from working in agriculture, except on their parents' farms. Purpose of this provision was to codify as a matter of national social policy that children under 12 should not work for hire in agriculture or any other industry, where they may be exploited or abused. The provision was designed to improve Federal law banning sweatshop practices and abuses in migrant labor situations. Opponents of the provision suggested that there may be situations where the very valid reasons behind this new law simply did not apply. For instance, Aroostook County (Maine) relies heavily on the potato industry which relies heavily on the labor of schoolchildren. Yet, there is no exploitation or abuse since the children are considered an important and willing part of the labor force. Focusing on children under 12 picking potatoes in Maine, this hearing examined the intention and practical effect of the provision. Testimony was heard from educators, students, parents, and representatives from the Maine Department of Manpower Affairs, Maine Employment Security Office, Maine Potato Council, Agricultural Bargaining Council, Aroostook County Farm Bureau, Aroostook Farm Labor Association, National Committee on the Education of Migrant Children, and North American Blueberry Council. (NQ)