Although it is widely accepted that energy for solar flares must be sought in rapid conversion of magnetic energy, observations of flare-associated magnetic field changes have proven difficult and controversial. Different observers have come to widely varying conclusions about the nature and reality of the reported flare-associated field changes. However, it is possible to reconcile these differences because most of the observations have been made at a level of precision comparable with the maximum field changes that even the largest flares could result from. High resolution filtergrams and magnetograms made within the past five years have made it possible to deduce that flares are associated with the emergence of new flux and with its reconnexion to older fields. Recent observations are reviewed.