III. 



SDBCOMMITTEE DELIBERATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 



The Joint Interim Subcommittee on Agricultural 

 Problems held nine meetings as part of its study on the 

 economic problems of Montana agriculture. These 

 meetings were held between August 1985 and December 

 1986 and included hearings in Billings, Great Falls, 

 Helena, and Kalispell. 



The following is a summary of Subcommittee 

 deliberations and other action at these meetings. 



First Meeting 



The first meeting of the Subcommittee was held on 

 August 30, 1985, in Helena. At this meeting, the 

 Subcommittee received presentation of the staff's 

 proposed study plan and work schedule for HJR 57. In 

 addition, the Subcommittee accepted public comment on 

 proposed study issues. Testimony opened with an 

 appearance by Montana U.S. Senator John Melcher. 



Senator Melcher told the Subcommittee that the 

 nation's leaders must take action on agricultural trade 

 issues to avoid a deep economic recession. Specifically, 

 he said. Congress and the President should establish a 

 reciprocal trade policy that would require Japan and the 

 European Common Market to accept more agricultural 

 products from the United States. Stressing that 

 measures must be taken to protect American interests in 

 trade matters. Senator Melcher told the Subcommittee 

 that political pressure was needed to force Congress 



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