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ALLEGIANT to Expand Operating Permit Area at Eastside
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 10, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allegiant Gold Ltd. ("ALLEGIANT") (AUAU: TSX-V) (AUXXF: OTCQX) is pleased to announce its plan to expand the operating permit area at its flagship Eastside project as well as provide an update on the revised resource estimate expected in the coming weeks.
Eastside Resource Estimate & Upcoming Exploration Program
ALLEGIANT is working with Mine Developers Associates ("MDA") to provide an updated resource estimate on the 100%-owned Eastside project, located 32km from the town of Tonopah, NV. The initial maiden resource estimate ("Resource Estimate and NI 43-101 Technical Report, Eastside Gold-Silver Project Technical Report, Esmeralda County, Nevada") with effective date of July 25, 2017, contained pit-constrained Inferred resources of 35,780,000 tonnes grading 0.63g gold equivalent per tonne, for a total of 721,000 gold equivalent ounces. Andy Wallace, ALLEGIANT technical advisor, is overseeing the technical aspect of incorporating 18 additional drill holes that were completed in late 2018. "Our goal in updating the initial pit-constrained resource at the original discovery zone at Eastside is to provide us with a clearer idea as to the amount of economic resources as well as potential for expansion of the pit zone," commented Peter Gianulis, CEO of Allegiant Gold. "We believe that the 67km2 Eastside district has the potential to host numerous pit zones and we will be spending the next year identifying additional zones beyond the existing pit zone in the north and the Boss/Castle resource areas to the south. We have only explored less than 5% of the total property and are very excited for the upcoming exploration program in 2020."
The Board has approved the 2020 exploration budget that will include expanding the permitted operating zone from 601 acres to approximately 3,200 acres. The proposed exploration program will evaluate numerous targets with the end goal of drilling the high priority targets when our permits are received. "We have also identified up to 5 additional areas from alteration mapping and geochemical sampling that warrant further exploration," stated Mr. Wallace. "I look forward to working closely with ALLEGIANT once again to continue to advance this amazing project."
ABOUT ALLEGIANT
ALLEGIANT owns 100% of 10 highly-prospective gold projects in the United States, 7 of which are located in the mining-friendly jurisdiction of Nevada. Three of ALLEGIANT's projects are farmed-out, providing for cost reductions and cash-flow. ALLEGIANT's flagship, district-scale Eastside project hosts a large and expanding gold resource and is located in an area of excellent infrastructure. Preliminary metallurgical testing indicates that both oxide and sulphide gold mineralization at Eastside is amenable to heap leaching.
Further information regarding ALLEGIANT can be found at www.allegiantgold.com
Andy Wallace is a Certified Professional Geologist (CPG) with the American Institute of Professional Geologists and is the Qualified Person under NI 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, who has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical content of this press release.
The maiden NI 43-101 Mineral Resource estimate for the Eastside gold-silver deposit was prepared under the direction of Steven J. Ristorcelli, CPG of MDA, a Qualified Person under NI 43-101, who has reviewed and consented to the information in this news release that relates to the reported resources.
Peter Gianulis
ir@allegiantgold.com
Certain statements and information contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, which are referred to collectively as "forward-looking statements". The United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for certain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements and information regarding possible events, conditions or results of operations that are based upon assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action. All statements and information other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "seek", "expect", "anticipate", "budget", "plan", "estimate", "continue", "forecast", "intend", "believe", "predict", "potential", "target", "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" and similar words or phrases (including negative variations) suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking statements in this and other press releases include, but are not limited to statements and information regarding: the evaluation of options to form a new exploration team or related M&A; Allegiant's property holding costs savings or income generated from optioning out certain properties; Allegiant's drilling and exploration plans for its properties, including farming out, anticipated costs, updating resource estimates and timing thereof and resulting increase of resources, if any; Allegiant's plans for growth through exploration activities, acquisitions or otherwise; and expectations regarding future cost savings, maintenance and capital expenditures, and working capital requirements. Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Some of the known risks and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are described in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" in Allegiant's Listing Application, dated January 24, 2018, as filed with the TSX Venture Exchange and available on SEDAR under Allegiant's profile at www.sedar.com. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Allegiant undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this press release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.


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A New Era for Raiders
Companies are stockpiling cash, stock market valuations are down, and private equity investors are sitting on piles of uninvested capital. Clearly, the economic conditions are right for a new era of corporate takeovers. This time, though, target companies' boards may have a tougher time fending off corporate raiders. That's because the defensive game plan that worked in the 1990s and 2000s is unlikely to work today. The classic antiraider tactic, the "poison pill," is disappearing from companies' arsenals. And my research with Steven Herscovici and Brian Barbetta of the Analysis Group casts doubt on another line of defense: states' antitakeover laws.
Poison pills dramatically raise the cost of unwanted acquisitions, giving target company directors the ability to veto offers from hostile bidders, even if shareholders feel otherwise. But now, after years of shareholder pressure to do away with poison pills, only 28% of S&P 1500 companies have them at the ready, down from 54% in 2005.
The Rise and Decline of the Poison Pill
The poison pill's effectiveness as protection against hostile takeovers has waned in recent years.
Click here for a larger image of the graphic.
Even without poison pills, most U.S. companies have some measure of protection from corporate raiders through state laws. By far the most important of these is Section 203 of the corporate code of Delaware, where more than half of U.S. public companies are incorporated. Section 203 delays a hostile takeover by three years unless the bidder buys 85% of the target's shares in a single tender offer. No bidder wants to wait three years—an eternity in the M&A world—before gaining full control of the target. Instead, bidders usually negotiate a friendly deal with the target board, which then waives Section 203.
But our research shows that a strong case can be made for invalidating Section 203. When Section 203 was enacted, in 1988, three federal courts upheld it against constitutional challenges on the grounds that the 85% escape hatch gave bidders a "meaningful opportunity for success." However, not a single bidder has been able to make use of the 85% "out" in the past 19 years, which suggests that the statute does not give bidders a meaningful opportunity for success. Furthermore, the original data that the federal courts relied on in making their constitutional assessment were seriously flawed. The bottom line: The empirical proposition that the federal courts used to uphold Section 203 is no longer valid—in fact, it never was.
That means Section 203 is in play. And if it were to be overturned, similar statutes in 32 other states—which along with Delaware collectively cover 92% of all U.S. corporations—could be called into question.
Companies are taking notice: When convenience-store giant Couche-Tard made its $1.9 billion hostile bid for Casey's General Stores earlier this year, for example, it cited our study as the basis for its challenge to Iowa's antitakeover statute.
The days when companies could rely on a poison pill and antitakeover statutes to "just say no" to hostile bidders are long gone. The next M&A era will most likely be characterized by fewer artificial barriers to takeovers. Targets will attempt to control the deal process—but in the end, they will not be able to block an offer that their shareholders want to accept.
Making Mergers, Acquisitions, and Other Business Combinations Work
Amazon, Whole Foods, and the Future of the (Old) New Economy
What We Can Learn About Unity from Hostile Takeovers
Disney Buys Marvel: Designing 3D Brands
Growing for Broke
Can Science Be a Business?: Lessons from Biotech
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Trump labels Iran's Revolutionary Guard a terror group
Home 2019 April 8 Trump labels Iran's Revolutionary Guard a terror group
admin, April 8, 2019 April 8, 2019 , Global News, 0
April 8, 2019, 1:07 PM GMT / Updated April 8, 2019, 9:12 PM GMT
By Abigail Williams, Dan De Luce and Carol E. Lee
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced Monday that it is designating the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, the first time the U.S. has used the designation on part of another country's government.
"This unprecedented step, led by the Department of State, recognizes the reality that Iran is not only a State Sponsor of Terrorism, but that the IRGC actively participates in, finances, and promotes terrorism as a tool of statecraft," President Donald Trump said in a statement. "The IRGC is the Iranian government's primary means of directing and implementing its global terrorist campaign."
When the designation takes effect in one week, the military branch of the Iranian government will be on the same list as terrorist groups such as ISIS, al Qaeda, Hezbollah and Hamas. The IRGC was already determined by the United States to be a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group but this new designation will forbid providing "material support or resources" to the group, placing even further restrictions on those still doing business with Iran. Those found in violation of the law could face criminal charges including up to 20 years in prison.
"If you're the general counsel for a European financial institution today there's more risk," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Monday. "This will require more diligence to be done by every business that is considering doing things that are even now second and third orders removed from what you might think of as a traditional connection to the Iranian economy."
A senior administration official said the designation "to the extent there are statutory authorities" also gives the U.S. the authority to target Qasem Soleimani as it would the leader of any terrorist organization, such as the head of ISIS, al-Baghdadi. "That's another consequence," the official said.
The Foreign Terrorist designation also comes with travel restrictions for the IRGC and those affiliated that could have broad impact. One Senior Administration Official said, "I feel pretty certain if you're in the ministry of defense you're not going to get visas."
The decision has been debated inside the Trump administration for months in multiple meetings at a senior and deputy level. At one point they considered only designating the Quds Force but determined the IRGC did enough destabilizing activity on its own.
It also sparked concern by some at the Pentagon, that the designation would endanger US forces, according to a senior administration official.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded Monday by advocating Iran place U.S. Central Command on their terror list, according to Iranian state run news agency IRNA and Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, threatened over the weekend to target the U.S. military.
"If (the Americans) make such a stupid move, the U.S. Army and American security forces stationed in West Asia [Middle East] will lose their current status of ease and serenity," Jafari said Sunday, according to FARS News Agency.
"I can assure you that we take force protection very, very, seriously," Nathan Sales, Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the State Department told reporters Monday. "We ran a robust inter-agency process to make sure that all interested parties are prepared for whatever the Iranian regime might throw at us."
The decision comes almost one year after the Trump administration announced its decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal. By blacklisting Iran's most important military unit, the sanctions could complicate any attempt by a future president trying to return the United States to the deal with Iran, both advocates and critics of the move said.
"This is part of a strategy by Iran hawks to layer on sanctions to make it more difficult for Democrats to get out of the deal," a Republican congressional aide told NBC News.
The decision came after several Democratic presidential candidates said they favored having the United States re-enter the agreement and the Democratic National Committee has said it supports a return to the deal.
In an op-ed last week, Mark Dubowitz, an influential advocate of a tough line on Iran, argued for designating the Revolutionary Guard and other steps to prevent the next president from returning to the agreement.
"The administration could also build a wall of additional sanctions that a pro-Tehran successor could not easily dismantle," wrote Dubowitz of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies think tank, which favors hard-hitting sanctions on Iran.
Instead of tying the sanctions to the country's nuclear program, the designations could only be lifted if the regime halted its support for militants across the region, its work on ballistic missiles, and its human rights abuses, Dubowitz wrote.
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who has sponsored legislation since 2015 to blacklist the IRGC, welcomed the announcement and said the White House should follow up with additional measures to hold the Revolutionary Guard accountable for its role in the war in Yemen, its support for Hezbollah in Lebanon and its backing of the Syrian regime of Bashar Assad.
Trita Parsi, a supporter of the Iran nuclear agreement and president of the National Iranian American Council, said the move could undermine any future attempt to forge a diplomatic dialogue with Iran.
"Even if future administrations would want to resolve tensions with Iran, the spiderweb of sanctions and terrorism designations makes any meaningful movement towards a diplomatic breakthrough with Iran politically unfeasible in Washington," Parsi said.
Even before today's announcement the administration had already designated over 970 Iranian entities and individuals in 26 rounds of sanctions.
Dan De Luce
Dan De Luce is a reporter for the NBC News Investigative Unit.
Carol E. Lee
Carol E. Lee is a national political reporter for NBC News.
Death toll rises to 21 in attack on luxury hotel complex in Nairobi, Kenya
admin, January 16, 2019 January 16, 2019 , Global News, 0
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'It's not over' — Wall Street spikes after U.S.-China trade truce, but concerns remain
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White House declares victory over ISIS in Syria. On the ground, it's a different story.
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Desperate refugees say some U.N. workers demand bribes to resettle them
For many of the refugees it cares for, resettlement is the ultimate goal, yet the most elusive. And until...
Ukraine's president left to debate himself as comedian leading polls is a no-show
Nearly four dozen suspected Mafia members, including newly elected boss, arrested in Italy
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Youth Suicide Attempts Have Doubled In The Last Decade17-foot python with 73 eggs caught in Florida
Hillary Clinton reads the Mueller report for 'Klepper'
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Want A Pool Home In North Alpharetta GA With Acerage?
This 5 bedroom home has it all. Lots of Space for storage and entertaining. Great updated Kitchen with Solid Surface counters and Breakfast Bar and Breakfast Area. Faux Finished Cabinets, Plantation Shutters Throughout, Updated painting with french country colors, Shows like new!
Over 1.8 acre level to slightly sloped lot with a beautiful pool and waterfall. Wooded, private and peaceful.
Screened in porch in the back to enjoy the great out doors. Wonderful Milton GA location near greenway parks, shopping and GREAT North Fulton Georgia Schools. Very Desirable Master on main home, hardwoods throughout, like new carpet, fully finished basement with gym, entertainment room, full bathroom and bedroom.
Posted by Deborah Weiner | Discussion: Comments Off on Want A Pool Home In North Alpharetta GA With Acerage?
Milton GA Estate Home For Sale In Breamridge-Wow!
This Estate home in Breamridge is not just a house, but a place you would love to call home! A very spacious home that feels and looks like new. Upgrades galore include custom window treatments throughout the home, granite counter tops in Kitchen with a 5 burner gas stove, over-sized kitchen pantry, double ovens, 6 bedrooms and a full bathroom for each one of them.
Unique features to this home include a butler pantry between the 12 seat dining room and the kitchen. Whole house water purification system, whole house central vac., 3 fireplaces, one in the over sized master bedroom. This home is dripping in crown molding with soft Ralph Lauren colors. This home is spacious and a wonderful find with all the bells and whistles. One visit and you will want to call it home!
The unfinished basement has extra high ceilings and a full daylight looking out into the woods and professional landscape. One of the largest lots in the community of Breamridge with a large side yard for gardening as well. The 3 car garage is a side entry garage. The home is a 4 sided brick home with a back deck / porch for enjoying the privacy and woods behind. Landscaping includes Leyland cypress, knock out roses. There is even an invisible fence on the property.
The community of Breamridge is centrally located and convenient to the new Publix Shopping Center, community parks in Alpharetta, and the popular Historic Crabapple area of Alpharetta where shopping and restaurants are found. Breamridge is an estate community of newer homes built by Fuqua / Newman. The Best North Fulton Schools!
Posted by Deborah Weiner | Discussion: Comments Off on Milton GA Estate Home For Sale In Breamridge-Wow!
Did you know there are 2 sides to this Milton Georgia Community located along Providence Road?
On the North side is the Holcombe's Farm entrance off of South Burgess Trail. Here you will find the communities amenities and 19 estate homes.
On the South side of Providence Road is the Holcombe's Farm entrance of of South Burgess Trail. Here you will find the small community lake/pond and 26 estate homes.
All homes were built between 1998 to 2001. Lots sizes are 1 acre or more and the community is full of hardwoods and well maintained yards. The prices for homes, at time of post, list between the high $400's to the low $700's. Most homes have 4 to 6 bedrooms and the homes are built in the Traditional, Craftsman to French Country, European style.
Homes in the Communities of Champions View are built in the European Stucco Style to Traditional Style. The Neighborhoods of Champions View are located off of Francis Road, Thompson Road and Hopewell Road in the City of Milton, just North of Alpharetta GA 30004.
Just above you will see the homes located in the City of Milton in the Communities of Champions View.
Most homes built between 1992 to 1999.
The average list price for a home in all of the Champions View is between $441,252 to $929,900.00. The average selling price, at time of post, for a 5 bedroom, 4 and 1 half bathroom home is $518,800.00.
Streets in the communities of Champions View include Champions View Drive, Champions Hills Drive, Champions Club Dr., Champions Vista Court, and Fairway Ct.
Devonshire Farms recently had a face lift, and I felt obliged to show you the before and after of the entrance to Devonshire Farms.
Devonshire Farms is an Estate Community of Homes located in the City of Milton, Just North of Alpharetta off Cogburn Road, 30004 and is a 1 street Cul-de-sac community.
Most homes built in the late 1990's in this 27+/- home neighborhood. Homes rest on 1 acre of more and has a wonderful, highly sought after, school district.
Devonshire Farms is not a Pool and Tennis Community and the H.O.A. fees, at time of post, is $275.00 a year. The one and only street in the community of Devonshire Farms is Devonshire Farms Way.
Directions: 400 north to exit 11 – Windward Parkway. Go west & cross over Highway 9 & Windward becomes Cogburn. Devonshire is on the left about 1.2 miles straight ahead.


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Council demands immediate action to improve water quality
Growing increasingly concerned about the impact of untreated raw sewage and its possible effect on health, the environment and wildlife as well as on tourism and leisure businesses, Havant Borough Council councillors are demanding immediate action from Southern Water to ensure Hayling Island's beaches - which have held the Blue Flag award for 29 years - are safe for all to use.
The council claims that repeatedly, Southern Water has allowed these untreated releases, which include toilet tissue, wipes etc, to spew out into the harbour following heavy rainfall which may then be washed up onto Hayling's beaches.
Whilst the water quality is checked regularly by the Environment Agency, Havant Borough Council remains extremely concerned on the number of these releases by Southern Water and the amount of debris that is left on the shore.
"Havant Borough Council has today called for immediate action to ensure that water quality at Hayling Island is improved - and that Southern Water invests in its infrastructure as a matter of urgency," says Councillor Michael Wilson, Leader of Havant Borough Council.
"The council is writing to Southern Water to demand something is done as quickly as possible about the current situation.
"We have already called on OFWAT to force Southern Water to invest in its infrastructure, after its record penalty for failures at its sewage treatment sites.
"In the meantime, we want Southern Water to provide us with useful data about water quality and any issues from its treatment plants so that we can, at the very least, warn water-users about any potential issues.
"Our number one priority is always our residents and visitors and their safety is absolutely paramount."
Current advice from Southern Water is to think carefully before entering bathing and recreational waters during or after heavy rain.
Anyone wishing to report pollution anywhere in the UK should contact the Environment Agency's 24-hour incident line on:
W: www.havant.gov.uk


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This report provides EU-28 production, supply, and demand forecasts for fresh apples, fresh pears, and table grapes. Ample domestic supply of apples and pears in MY (marketing year) 2014/15 (good crop and abundant commercial stocks for both), together with the Russian import ban on those products, puts pressure on the fresh deciduous fruit market. Commercial apple production in MY 2014/15 is estimated to increase by 8 percent year-on-year and reach 11.7 MMT. Commercial pear production is forecast to be comparable to MY 2013/14 at 2.2 MMT whereas table grapes production is expected to be down by 16 percent and account for 1.6 MMT. As a reaction to the Russian import ban, introduced at the beginning of August 2014, the EU Commission took "exceptional measures" to support affected industries.
The EU-28 remains a leading producer of fresh deciduous fruits. Apples are the most important fresh deciduous fruit grown within the European Union. Commercial apple production in marketing year (MY) 2014/15 is estimated to increase by 8 percent year-on-year and reach 11.7 MMT. Commercial pear production is forecast to be comparable to MY 2013/14 at 2.2 MMT whereas table grapes production is expected to be down by 16 percent and account for 1.6 MMT. Non-commercial apple production shows an increase of estimated 45 percent to 1.6 MMT; non-commercial pear production forecast is at an almost 3 percent decline reaching 160,000 MT. Significantly higher apple production is expected to occur in Poland, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Belgium, Austria, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, which is only partially offset by lower production in Spain, Croatia, Romania, France, Portugal, Bulgaria, and the Baltic countries. The Netherlands and Belgium report higher pear production in MY 2014/15 by about 20 percent, which is offset by 3 percent lower production in Italy (the major pear producer within the EU) and 9 percent lower production in Spain. Table grapes production is expected to be significantly down especially in the major producing country Italy but also in Spain and Greece. On an average, quality and fruit size of the apple crop in MY 2014/15 is reported to be very good.
Ample domestic supply of apples and pears in MY 2014/15 (good crop and abundant commercial stocks for both), together with the Russian import ban on those products, puts pressure on the fresh deciduous fruit market. Prices declined in the first half of the MY on both the producer and the consumer level. Reduced prices may boost domestic consumption somewhat. But the higher consumption together with lower third country imports are not expected to offset the high supply and decreased exports due to the Russian ban. Especially for apples, the share for processing is expected to increase significantly and a number of orchards may not be fully harvested due to lack of storage facilities. In order to ease the situation caused by the Russian ban, the EU Commission has introduced special market support programs for the sector. The market withdrawal measures include non-harvest, green harvest and destruction, and donation to charities. With Russia being omitted as the previous number one third country export market for apples, pears, and table grapes, the industry is seeking new export markets such as Northern Africa, the Middle East and Asia. EU exports to countries neighboring Russia started increasing in MY 2013/14. This trend is expected to continue.
On August 7, 2014, the Russian government implemented a ban for one year on a range of agricultural and food products, including apples and pears and table grapes, from the United States, the European Union (EU), Canada, Australia and Norway, in response to U.S. and EU sanctions over Russian actions in Ukraine. This ban has a significant effect for agricultural markets in Europe as Russia is the EU's second largest market for food and drinks, purchasing 28 percent of EU fruit exports. As a reaction to the Russian ban the EU Commission took "exceptional measures" to support affected industries. In a first round this specific market support provided Euro 125 million. Due to disproportionate claims from Poland, the financial ceiling had been reached, resulting in a suspension of the measure. On September 29, 2014, the EU Commission adopted a new program for emergency market measures. This program specifies product quantities for member states. The total tonnage in the program for apples and pears together is determined at maximum 181,800 MT.
The following first part of the policy section mainly focuses on the first pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), consisting of direct payments to farmers and the single Common Market Organization (CMO) and any other policy related issues that are relevant to the fresh deciduous fruit sector. The second part refers to EU measures that were taken in response to the Russian embargo.
The new CAP package 2014-2020 introduced a new distribution of entitlements for direct payments, which means that all fruit and vegetables producers should benefit from the allocation of entitlements and therefore receive direct payments. The old-style production-linked payments were replaced by decoupled payments and all payments had already been decoupled from fruit and vegetable production since 2012. According to the new Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 on direct payments, fruit and vegetables producers will therefore be subject to cross compliance requirements and must follow the CAP agricultural practices for the environment ("greening").
Another key component of the CAP is the single Common Market Organization (CMO), providing a framework for market measures under the CAP. Regulation(EU) No 1308/2013 outlines the new Single CMO, which went into force on January 1, 2014. The implementing rules for the fresh and processed fruit and vegetables sectors (Commission implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011) were last amended by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 499/2014, which entered into force on May 16, 2014.
Producer Organizations (POs) are still the key elements in the EU's CMO for fruit and vegetables. POs are legal entities established by producers to market commodities, including apples, pears, and table grapes. EU subsidies are not paid to individual producers but are channeled through POs. In order to qualify for EU subsidies, a PO must submit an operational program financed through an operational fund. The EU's financial contribution is paid directly into the POs operational fund. The calculation of the estimated amount of the operational fund is based on the operational program and the value of the marketed production. As of January 20, 2014, operational programs are approved under the Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013. Commission Delegated Regulation 499/2014 introduced new elements regarding the operational programs. It clarifies the criteria that POs have to comply with in order to be eligible for EU funding and introduces a sanction mechanism in the case of non-compliance.
Fresh fruit and vegetable imports into the EU are checked for compliance with EU-harmonized marketing standards. These standards apply at all marketing stages and include criteria such as quality, size, labeling, packaging, and presentation. Commission implementing Regulation (EU) No 543/2011 provides for a general marketing standard for all fresh fruits and vegetables. Specific marketing standards are still in place for ten products, including apples and pears.
- Assistance to secure bank loans, and support for administrative costs associated with setting up mutual funds.
National authorities must determine, in their national strategy, which of these instruments can be funded in their countries. POs may take out loans on commercial terms to finance crisis prevention and management measures. The repayment of the capital and the interest on those loans may be eligible for financial assistance under the operational programs of POs.
A key objective of the changes made to the Fruit and Vegetable regime was to reverse the declining consumption of fruit and vegetables. The European "School Fruit Scheme" (SFS) originated as a measure to combat child obesity and includes three elements: free distribution of fruit and vegetables in schools, information campaigns on healthy eating habits, and monitoring and evaluation. The EU funds, to be matched by national and private funds, for the 2014/15 SFS has increased from $115 million (€90 m) to $191 million (€150 m), which was agreed in the context of the CAP 2020 reform and allocated to the participating Member States (MS). For the first time, these funds will also be used to accompany educational measures, such as school gardens and nutritional lectures.
On January 30, 2014, the Commission presented a proposal to bring the SFS and the "School Milk Scheme" together under a joint framework in order to improve their effectiveness and efficiency, streamline administrative requirements and reduce organizational burdens. Participation in the new scheme will be voluntary for MS, which will also have flexibility to choose the products they wish to distribute. Further discussions with the EU Parliament and Council are ongoing with a view to adopt the file in early 2015. The reformed "school scheme" is expected to take effect in 2016.
The sector may also benefit from the European promotion budget for agricultural products and quality schemes. The EU Commission reformed its promotion policy with an extension of the product scope and a greater focus on export markets. The promotion budget will increase gradually from $76 million (€60 m) to $255 million (€200 m) annually until 2020. National co-funding will no longer be needed and EU associations will be able to apply directly for a program.
At least 10 percent of operational program funding must be spent on environmental actions that go beyond mandatory environmental standards. MS with recognized POs must draw up a National Framework for Environmental Action (NEF) as part of their "national strategy for sustainable operational program." The NEF must contain a non-exhaustive list of environmental actions and the conditions applicable to them in the Member State concerned.
Plant products need a phytosanitary certificate to be exported to the EU. Phytosanitary certificates issued by a USDA/Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) inspector are required to accompany fruit, vegetable, and nut shipments. APHIS issues phytosanitary certificates in accordance with international regulations established by the International Plant Protection Convention of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. This standard-setting body coordinates cooperation between nations to control and prevent the spread of plant and plant product pests.
Commission Regulation 1756/2004 provides for plant health checks to be carried out at reduced frequency when justified. The list of products recommended for plant health checks at reduced levels was issued on September 30, 2014. On an annual basis, the Commission monitors imports of fruit and vegetables to determine how to adjust the frequency of testing consignments. For this year, the EU decided to increase the frequency of testing consignments of U.S. Malus apples from 35 % to 50%.
Note: Diphenylamine (DPA) is a pesticide used on apples and pears to prevent scalding, but is no longer authorized for use in the EU. Subsequently, the MRLs for DPA decreased to 0.1 mg/kg for both apples and pears on March 2, 2014. Last year, industry sources estimated a $21 million loss to U.S. apple and pear growers once the new MRLs apply and DPA can no longer be used. However, the direct impact on U.S. exports will not be known until next year.
EU imports of fresh fruit and vegetables are subject to the Entry Price System (EPS) which has been in place in its current form since the Uruguay Round. It is a complex tariff system that provides a high level of protection to EU producers. In this system fruits and vegetables imported at or above an established entry price are charged an ad valorem duty only. Produce valued below the entry price are charged a tariff equivalent in addition to the ad valorem duty. The tariff equivalent is graduated for products valued between 92 and 100 percent of the entry price. The ad valorem duty and the full tariff equivalent are levied on imports valued at less than 92 percent of the entry price.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 499/2014 has introduced provisions on the entry price system, which aligns the clearance of goods that are subject to the entry price to the Custom Code. These provisions, applicable since October 1, 2014, introduced a flat rate, which is the standard import value, to clear customs when products are sold on consignment.
Tariff levels for 2014 are published in Commission Implementing Regulation 1001/2013.
The United States tends to sell high quality products at higher prices which typically do not face additional duties.
On August 7, 2014, the Russian government implemented a ban for one year on a range of agricultural and food products, including apples and pears and table grapes, from the United States, the European Union (EU), Canada, Australia, and Norway, in response to U.S. and EU sanctions over Russian actions in Ukraine. This ban has a significant effect for agricultural markets in Europe as Russia is the EU's second largest market for food and drinks, purchasing 28 percent of EU fruit exports and 21.5 percent of EU vegetable exports in 2011.
The CMO rules (see Regulation 1308/2013 in part I) provides various market management tools to stabilize markets, which are programmed or can be introduced by the Commission through "implementing acts", voted by MS in the single CMO Committee. However, the Commission is also empowered under the reformed CAP to take "exceptional measures" in case of market disruption without having to consult with MS first. This "Article 219" procedure was used for the first time to introduce specific market support measures for peaches and nectarines ($41.7 million/€33 million), perishable fruit and vegetables ($158.1 million/€125 million) and private storage aid for butter, skimmed milk powder, and cheese (although later removed), as well as an additional $38 million (€30 million) for promotion programs.
However, on September 11, 2014, the European Commission suspended the emergency market measures for perishable fruit and vegetable markets due to disproportionate claims from Poland, although these claims have been refuted by the MS. MS are required to notify the Commission of the volumes claimed and the financial ceilings had been reached for apples and pears and even for the other products, which ultimately resulted in a suspension of the measure.
On September 29, 2014, the European Commission adopted a new program for emergency market measures for perishable fruit and vegetables as a response to the Russian ban on imports of certain EU agricultural products. Regulation 1031/2014 provided a new program of $208.5 million (€165 million) to withdraw surplus volumes from the market and will run until the end of the year. It includes an annex with specific volumes listed in four product categories for the 13 Member States which exported most fruit and vegetables to Russia during the September-December period (September to March for certain fruits) on average from 2011-2013. The new plan also includes for the first time, oranges, mandarins, and clementines.
The four product groups are apples and pears (total 181,800 tons); citrus fruit: oranges, mandarins, clementine (total 96,090 tons); other vegetables: carrots, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes (48,300 tons); other fruits: kiwi, plums and table grapes (total 76,895 tons).
In addition, all 28 MS are entitled to 3,000 tons each for supplementary withdrawals for the products listed in this program, plus cauliflowers, cabbages and mushrooms, allowing some flexibility as MS are allowed to prioritize certain products.
These rules for temporary support measures are granted to POs in the fruit and vegetables sector, as well as to producers who are not members of such organizations and cover withdrawal, non-harvesting and green harvesting operations.
• Market withdrawals refer to withdrawing products from the market instead of selling them. National authorities determine how the products withdrawn from the market are used, but one of the options must be 'free distribution,' for example, to schools, hospitals and charity organizations. In case of free distribution, the producer will be compensated 100 percent. If the withdrawn produce is going to 'other destinations,' destroyed or used as compost, the aid for PO members is 75 percent and 50 percent for non-PO members. The usual 5 percent volume limit for POs does not apply.
• Green harvesting is harvesting unripe non-marketable but undamaged products. Non-harvesting means not taking any commercial production from the cultivated area during the normal production cycle. Compensation is paid as per-hectare payments, at a level to cover not more than 90 percent of the maximum level for withdrawals for the 'other destination' price of the fruit or vegetable concerned. The EU compensation is 75 percent for PO members, 50 percent for non-PO members.
MS shall allocate the quantities between POs and non-member producers following the first come, first served system. However, MS may decide to set up a different system for the allocation of quantities, if this is based on objective and non-discriminatory criteria. For this purpose, MS may take into account the extent of the effects of the Russian import ban on the producers concerned.
The EU-28 is one of the leading producers and consumers of apples in the world. Poland (28 percent of total production in MY 2014/15), Italy (20 percent), France (14 Percent), Germany (9 percent), and Hungary (4 percent) are the top five producing member states and together account for 77 percent of the total EU commercial apple production.
Commercial apple production in MY 2014/15 is estimated at 11.7 MMT. This estimate is an 8 percent increase (852,200 MT) in production compared to the output of MY 2013/14. However, industry expects that a number of orchards will not be fully harvested due to lack of storage facilities, because labor cost for harvest exceeds producer prices for apples, or in order to not block storage space with lower quality fruit. This phenomenon is independent and in addition of non-harvest in the scope of EU intervention programs.
Significantly higher production is expected to occur in Poland, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Belgium, Austria, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom; and to some extent in the Czech Republic and Denmark. This increase is only partially offset by lower production in Spain, Croatia, Romania, France, Portugal, Bulgaria, and the Baltic countries.
Generally, quality and fruit size are reported to be very good. An exception to this is Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Southern Romania, which report smaller fruit and hail damage.
Some 25 apple varieties are produced commercially in the EU in volumes exceeding 10,000 MT. Among these, Golden Delicious, Gala types, and Idared are the dominant varieties. However, production patterns vary. While Golden Delicious is the variety with the largest production in Italy, France, and Spain, Elstar is dominant in Germany and the Netherlands; Idared and Jonathan are the number one varieties in Poland and Hungary, respectively. However, new varieties, for example Pink Lady, Kanzi, Rubens, Tentation, Kiku have increased their share of production in recent years. In the Netherlands "new" varieties comprise 10 percent of total production.
Non-commercial production in MY 2014/15 is estimated at 1.6 MMT, which is a 45 percent increase compared to MY 2013/14. This is largely a result of an increase in Germany (up 112 percent compared to MY 2013/14), Austria (up 37 percent), and Hungary (up 30 percent). However, most EU member states do not report estimates for non-commercial production. Non-commercial production tends to alternate between good and poor crop years.
Non-commercial production includes apples grown in home gardens and in untended trees in meadows or field edges. Typically, non-commercial production is used for fresh consumption, apple juice and spirits production, baking (cakes, tarts) or preserved foods (canned, dried, and cooked). The amount of apples diverted to the different segments varies depending on the price for processing apples. Higher processing apple prices generally result in a higher proportion of fruit entering juice production. In general, non-commercial production is gradually decreasing in the EU-28 as hobby farmers get older. Younger generations have simply not shown the same interest in small-scale production. Instead, commercial production of higher acid apple varieties for processing is expected to increase to meet demand from the juice concentrate industry.
According to WAPA, EU stocks of apples amounted to 384,877 MT on July 1, 2014, compared to 150,884 MT at the same time in 2013. In some member states the stock number comprised apples stored at producer organizations (POs) and in other member states, stocks are at POs and wholesalers. More important than the actual number is the year-on-year-change of stocks, as end of MY stocks can have a detrimental effect on the prices for the new harvest. In this report, stocks are included in the "fresh domestic consumption" line in the PSD.
The PSD table shows a steep increase in EU-28 fresh domestic apple consumption in MY 2014/15. However, this includes stocks and losses due to non-harvest so that the actual increase in consumption will be somewhat lower. Nonetheless, fresh domestic apple consumption is expected to increase significantly as consumer prices have come down and retail chains have introduced special offers for apples. In addition, the fruit industry for example in Germany ran newspaper and billboard advertisement to push consumption.
Apples are the most popular fruit in all member states except for Spain, where oranges are number one. However, a closer look within the apple segment does show differences in consumer preferences between member states.
In MY 2014/15, processing use of apples is expected to increase compared to MY 2013/14 due to the high commercial and non-commercial apple production in Germany, Hungary, and Poland. However, the increase is projected to be lower than one could expect given the abundant harvest, as the very low prices for processing apples provided little incentive for non-commercial farmers to harvest their trees.
Processing uses for apples include, among others, apple juice, concentrated apple juice (CAJ), cider, wine/brandy, apple sauce, preserves, canning, apple chips, and peeled apples for bakeries. The share of apples used for processing varies significantly by member state, ranging from none in Greece to well over 50 percent in Hungary. The processing share also varies from year to year. The EU-28 average share of apples going into processing is forecast to amount to about 28 percent of total supply in MY 2014/15. Major member states with apple processing include Poland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Romania, France, Austria, Spain, and the U.K. (in order of descending volume).
The majority of trade occurs among the EU-28 countries. Over the past five years, on average about 2.2 million MT of apples were traded between EU member states, while roughly 500,000 to 800,000 MT were imported from outside the EU-28. In recent years, imports contributed between 4 and 8 percent of the total EU apple supply.
EU-28 apple imports from outside the bloc are forecast to decrease by roughly 70,000 MT in MY2014/15 or 12 percent, as the European market is saturated with domestic production and volumes that would normally be exported to Russia add pressure to the EU market. As a result, exporters from outside the EU may find it more profitable to export to other destinations.
Seventy percent of EU-28 apple imports originate from three top suppliers, all of which are located in the southern hemisphere and export mostly during the European off-season. Serbia increased its market share in the EU-28 in MY 2013/14 and ranked number four supplying seven percent of the EU-28's apple imports. The main importers of apples are the U.K. and the Netherlands, who together account for 60 percent of the EU-28 imports. However, much of the volume entering the Netherlands will not be consumed there but eventually be transshipped to other member states.
Imports from the United States halved in MY2010/11 mainly due to the enforcement of EU food additive legislation but have been relatively stable since. U.S. apple exports to the EU-28 occur year-round; however, most arrive between November and April. U.S. apples compete with domestically produced apples and with competitively priced imports from China.
For MY 2014/15 total EU-28 apple exports are expected to decrease as a result of Russia banning apple imports from the EU-28. In reaction to the ban MS will try and increase exports to other destinations such as Northern Africa (France, Austria, Italy, Greece, Poland); Belarus and Kazakhstan (Belgium, Poland, the Netherlands); the Middle East (France, Italy, Poland); Asia (France, Poland, Italy); and Brazil (Germany). An increase to the Ukraine is not expected as this country is also affected by the Russian import ban.
The top destinations for EU-28 apples in MY2013/14 were Russia, Belarus, and Algeria. The largest EU exporters are Poland (mostly to Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine), France (mainly to Algeria, U.A.E., Russia, and Saudi Arabia), and Italy (to Libya, Egypt, Algeria, Russia, and Saudi Arabia).
Because of the abundant EU-28 domestic production, prices have been lower than in the past two years both at the producer and the consumer level. Industry hopes that prices will pick up in the second half of the marketing year when apples from cold storage are gone and only controlled atmosphere stored apples are left.
Prices for processing apples have picked up again as processors found that with the low prices they were originally offering (reportedly as low as 20 Euro per MT) at the beginning of the season people would rather leave fruit hanging on the trees. At the time of writing (mid-October) prices for processing apples have increased to 80 Euro per MT in the Lake Constance region.
In a normal year the EU does not offer withdrawal from market/ market intervention programs. However, this year and in reaction to the Russian ban of fruit import from the EU, the European Commission introduced special market support programs for the sector (see policy section). These measures include non-harvest, green harvest and destruction, and donations to charities (e.g. kindergardens, food banks, hospitals, and prisons). MS applying for withdrawal include (in descending order by volume) Belgium, Poland, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia. A total of 67,770 MT is expected to be withdrawn through these measures. In addition, in France an unknown quantity is used for intervention and is donated to charity. Industry sources have indicated that apple growers in Germany are choosing not to make use of the program. In Germany, the government only allows donations to charities, which farmers find is accompanied with too much administrative burden. For ethical reasons Germany does not support non-harvest or green harvest. Italian producers would rather focus on finding new markets for their products.
The reform of the EU common market organization for fruits and vegetables (see policy section) also brought about a change in the intervention system (also called "withdrawal from market"). Since 2008, "withdrawal from market" is no longer available as a separate measure but has to be included as an emergency measure in the producer organizations' operational program (OP). This means that the system moved from being financed entirely by EU funds to a co-financing system where producer organizations have to bear 50 percent of the costs. As a consequence, starting in MY 2008/09, member state authorities began administering "withdrawals from market" funding indirectly via approval of the OP. Thus, volume data is no longer available. Also, some member states (for example Germany) have opted to do away with intervention for fruits and vegetables altogether.
Commercial pear production in MY 2014/15 is estimated at 2.2 MMT, similar to production in MY 2013/14. The area harvested continues to drop to an estimated 115,000 hectares. The same trend applies to the 5 largest pear producing countries within the EU, except for Belgium where area harvested continues to increase.
Production is led by the Conference variety, mainly grown in Belgium and the Netherlands and to a lesser extent in Spain and Italy. Other popular varieties include William Bon Crétien/Bartlett (mainly grown in Italy and some in France and Spain), Abate Fetel (mainly grown in Italy) and Rocha (mainly grown in Portugal).
The EU-28 is second to China as the world's largest producer of pears, followed by the United States, Argentina and Turkey. Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Portugal continue to be the top five producing member states (MS) and in MY 2014/15 their combined production accounts for 85 percent of total EU-28 commercial pear production.
Italy is still the largest pear producer, responsible for almost a third of total EU production, with production concentrated in the North East region. Planted area, however, has been declining over the last decade due to the low profitability. Abate Fetel is the dominant variety, followed by William Bon Crétien and Conference. Italy's MY 2014/15 pear production is estimated at 707,000 MT, a 3 percent decrease compared to MY 2013/2014, mainly due to heavy rainfall during fruit setting.
In both the Netherlands and Belgium, pear production is estimated to be up by a fifth compared to the three year average. The taste, quality and size of the leading variety Conference is expected to be very good. In MY 2014/2015, the acreage of pears in the Netherlands is expected to be stable at an estimated 8,500 hectares while acreage in Belgium is expected to further increase to an estimated 9,000 hectares.
Pear production in Spain is expected to be down (-9 percent) compared to the three year average. Total planted area has been decreasing as stone fruit orchards replace pear production. Conference continues to be the leading variety followed by William Bon Crétien and Blanquilla. Pear production in Portugal is expected to be up by 9 percent compared to last year's production. The area harvested has been decreasing over the past few years. Portugal is the only producing EU country of the Rocha variety.
Similar to the situation for apples, the non-commercial production of pears includes pears grown in house gardens and production in meadows and mainly used for fresh consumption or further processing for domestic use. The non-commercial production figures for pears are relatively high in Central European Countries such as Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, and Slovenia. For MY 2014/15 non-commercial production is estimated at 160,000 MT and represents almost seven percent of total pear production.
Pears are still popular throughout the EU although apples, oranges, and bananas continue to lead fresh fruit consumption. Like most other fruit and vegetables, pear consumption is under pressure. The average per capita consumption of pears is around 4.0 kg/year. The high per capita consumer markets (9 kg/year) are Austria, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Further north, France, the Benelux, and Nordic countries have an average pear consumption of 5 kg/year. Central and Eastern European countries have a per capita consumption of 2 kg/year or less. In MY 2014/15 consumption will be slightly up due to low prices.
On MS level, the most popular pear varieties are those that are locally or regionally grown. The Conference pear variety dominates pear consumption in North West Europe, while Abate Fetel, Blanquilla, Limonera, and Rocha are popular pears in Southern Europe. The number of varieties offered in supermarkets is usually between two to four. Main buyers of pears are senior couples and young bachelors. The industry furthermore believes that taste, price, texture, and appearance are the main reasons for buying pears.
Varieties that have a good keeping quality, e.g. Conference, are available year round. Varieties with a somewhat lower keeping quality like Doyenne du Comice, Abate Fetel, and Limonera are available after harvesting while varieties like Williams Bon Crétien and Packham imported from the Southern Hemisphere countries become available starting in February.
In MY 2014/15, it is expected that the volume of pears that will be used for processing will be around 290,000 MT, slightly higher than last year.
The majority of the pear trade occurs within the EU-28. Over the past five years, roughly a quarter of total imported pears came from third countries, while forty percent of total exports went outside the EU-28, and growing.
The main EU-28 importing country continues to be the Netherlands followed by Italy, France, the UK, and Germany. Together these countries are responsible for over 90 percent of EU-28 pear imports. Much of the volume entering the Netherlands, however, will be shipped to other MS like Germany and the Nordics.
In MY 2013/14, over ninety percent of the EU-28 pear imports came from South Africa, Argentina, and Chile. Trade with these Southern Hemisphere countries starts in February and runs until July and does not directly compete with EU produced pears. Most popular imported varieties include Williams Bon Crétien, Packham, and Anjou.
Other trade partners include China (Ya variety) and Turkey (quinces). The Ya pear is consumed by the Asian population within the EU while quinces are mainly destined for the processing industry. U.S. pear (mainly Anjou variety) exports to the EU-28 occur between November and February. Consumer demand is strong for U.S. pears and especially in the German and Nordic market.
For MY 2014/15, pear imports from the Southern Hemisphere countries are expected to be lower due to the availability of good quality pears and currently low prices within the EU. Imports will further depend on the availability from the Southern Hemisphere; there are indications that production in these countries will be lower this year. Also the Russia ban offers additional export opportunities for Southern Hemisphere pears. Finally, imports of pears from China and Turkey are not expected to change as they serve a specific market.
Market opportunities for U.S. pears on the EU market this year will mainly depend on the price development of EU pears. Prices are currently low and there are no indications that this will change soon, which presents a challenge for U.S. pears for MY 2014/15.
In MY 2013/14, the main EU-28 exporting countries continue to be trading nations Belgium and the Netherlands, together responsible for almost fifty percent of EU-28 pear exports. These two countries are the EU's largest producers and exporters of Conference pears. Other leading exporters include Portugal, Lithuania, Spain, Poland, and Italy. Lithuania and Poland however export mainly Conference pears produced in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Prior to the ban, Russia used to be the most important market for EU pears, 260,590 MT in MY 2013/14. Belgium and the Netherlands alone exported 125,000 MT and 53,000 MT, respectively, of mainly Conference pears to Russia. For MY 2014/15 EU-28 pear exports are expected to decrease now that the Russian market is closed. Losing Russia's market will partly be compensated by the EU intervention programs, higher exports to countries that neighbor with Russia, and increased exports to relative new markets.
As described in the Policy Chapter, there are emergency EU intervention programs for both apples and pears. According to industry sources, an estimated 47,900 MT of pears are offered for intervention.
Exports to countries that neighbor Russia, like Belarus, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova, increased considerably in MY 2013/14. It is however likely that pear exports to Belarus and Ukraine end up on the Russian market as well. For MY 2014/15 it is very likely that above countries will export locally produced pears to Russia and compensate by importing EU pears.
It is also expected that exports to relative new markets like North Africa will continue to grow. Exports to Morocco and Libya grew in MY 2013/14 to 13,895 MT (up by 7,535 MT) and 11,137 MT (up by 3,847 MT), respectively. Exports are expected to further grow in MY 2014/15. Exports to United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are also growing albeit in much smaller quantities. The same applies to exports to Hong Kong and China, a relative small market at the moment. Canada also recently opened its market for pears from Belgium. It is important to note that even when these new markets are open, it takes years to develop a market for a new variety.
Brazil's pear imports largely depend on Argentina, who is expected to have a lower production this year. Portugal (Rocha variety) and Spain (Blanquilla, Limonera, Williams Bon Crétien varieties) are Brazil's second and third largest suppliers of pears. The higher pear production in Portugal in combination with an expected lower production in Argentina, offers additional export opportunities for EU-28 exports to Brazil in MY 2014/15. It is not possible for the Netherlands and Belgium to export Conference pears to Brazil for phytosanitary reasons.
EU-28's fourth largest export market is neighboring Norway, buying mainly Conference pears. Exports for MY 2014/15 are expected to increase slightly due to low prices.
Because of the expected good pear harvest in the EU in combination with the loss of the Russian market, prices have already dropped tremendously. The weak Euro makes EU pears even more price-competitive on third markets and foreign pears more expensive.
In several MS, there are good indications that pear growers are making use of the EU intervention program, especially those in Belgium, Poland, the Netherlands, and Spain. Industry contacts estimate that an estimated 47,900 MT of pears will be offered for intervention. Since the intervention only started on September 30th, a time when most pear farmers were already harvesting, 'green harvesting' or 'not harvesting' was not an option any more. That is why most pear growers choose the third option, taking pears 'out of the market'. Industry sources have indicated that pear growers in Italy are focusing on finding new markets for their products. In France an unknown quantity is used for intervention and is donated to charity.
The European Union is a world leader in table grape production, together with China and Iran. Italy, Spain, and Greece account for 93 percent of the EU-28 table grape production. After a dramatic fall in the last decade, the EU-28 table grape area continues to decrease. Reduced profitability, due to increasing production costs and strong competition from other suppliers are the main factors behind the drop. After a record campaign in MY 2013/14 (June/May), MY 2014/15 EU-28 table grape production is forecast to drop 16 percent to 1.6 MMT. Significant decreases are indeed forecast to be registered in Italy (-20 percent), Spain (-8 percent), and Greece (-8.6 percent). Reduced production is also expected in Romania (-5.3 percent), France (-16 percent), Portugal (-8.6 percent), and Bulgaria (-40.8 percent).
Italy ranks sixth in world's table grape production and third among table grape exporters, behind Chile and the United States. The Italian table grape production is concentrated in Southern Italy, mainly in Apulia and Sicily, which account for 70 and 25 percent of the domestic production, respectively. Italia, Victoria, and Red Globe are the main varieties in Italy, covering approximately 66 percent of the table grape area. In the last few years, Italy has gradually moved to seedless grapes cultivation, due to an increasing demand from intra and extra EU markets. Sugraone and Crimson are the most popular seedless varieties followed by Thompson, Centennial, and Sublime.
After a record campaign in MY 2013/14, Italy's MY 2014/15 table grape production is forecast to decrease significantly, mainly due to unfavorable weather during flowering and fruit set. Moreover, the cold temperatures during mid-July damaged several plantations thus affecting the fruit quality which overall is forecast to be good. The production drop, slow consumption, and the Russian ban made wholesale prices drop by 25-30 percent compared to the last season from 1.30-1.50 Euro/kg to 0.70-1.20 Euro/kg. Early varieties (Black Magic and Vittoria) are sold from May to the end of July. For medium and late varieties (Italia, Palieri, Pizzutello Bianca, and Red Globe) ―mainly from Sicily, Abruzzo, Apulia, Basilicata, and Sardinia―the harvest occurs from August to December.
According to the latest data provided by the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Spain's MY 2014/15 table grape production is forecast to decrease by 8 percent compared to the previous season due to adverse weather conditions. There are approximately 13,500 hectares currently cultivated with table grapes in Spain. The main producing areas include the Region of Murcia, the Comunidad Valenciana, and Andalusia. Murcia and Alicante account for 70 percent of the total production area. Over 50 table grape varieties are commercialized in Spain. Aledo, Ideal, Muscatel, Dominga, and Napoleon are the main ones. Seedless varieties represent 30 percent of total table grape production and are mainly produced in the Region of Murcia.
Despite the enduring economic crisis, the EU-28 fresh grape consumption has been rather stable in recent years and stands at approximately 2 MMT, although still fluctuating in function of the domestic production trend. Starting in June and throughout the end of the calendar year, the EU-28 table grape consumption is mostly met by domestic production. Also, imports from third countries―normally coming in the first half of the calendar year from the Southern hemisphere―represent 22.5 percent of total consumption.
Italy is the leading table grape consumer in the EU-28, followed by Germany, the United Kingdom, Greece, Spain, France, Romania, Portugal, Czech Republic, Austria, Bulgaria, and Slovakia (in decreasing order of consumption). Despite the fact that Italian seeded grapes are still greatly appreciated, experts claim that EU-28 consumers are increasingly demanding seedless varieties because of their quality and convenience. Thus, many EU-28 table grapes farmers are replacing old seeded varieties with new seedless ones (i.e. Sugraone, Crimson, Thompson, Regal, Summer Royal, Centennial, Sublime, etc.). Moreover, a greater focus is now being placed on late varieties (i.e. Crystal and Princess), in order to make the European grapes available after the busy summer fruit season.
The EU-28 is a net importer of fresh table grapes. During MY 2013/14, the EU-28 imported 567,063 MT of table grapes. South Africa (166,635 MT) and Chile (140,977 MT) confirmed to be the leading suppliers to the EU-28 market, followed by Peru (55,709 MT), India (55,516 MT), Egypt (47,033 MT), Brazil (36,567 MT), Turkey (19,146 MT), and Namibia (14,957 MT). The largest EU-28 importing countries remain the Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The Netherlands serves mainly as a trans-shipping point. MY 2014/15 EU-28 table grape imports are forecast to be lower due to reduced quantities from Brazil. During MY 2013/14, the EU-28 exported 141,283 MT of table grapes, mainly to Russia (41,897 MT), Switzerland (26,948 MT), Belarus (15,033 MT), and Norway (12,243 MT). Lithuania is an important channel for re-exports to Russia of table grapes imported from other EU countries (39,000 MT in 2013/14), mainly Italy (23,000 MT in 2013/14). MY 2014/15 EU-28 table grape exports are forecast to decrease as a result of the Russian ban. Moreover, approximately 10,030 MT of produce are forecast to be compensated by the EU intervention programs (see Policy Section). Furthermore, new strategic markets might develop in Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Northern Europe.
In MY 2013/14, Italy exported 500,971 MT of table grapes, mainly to Germany (115,544 MT), France (100,620 MT), and Poland (58,720 MT). Germany, Poland, and the Baltic States prefer the bigger Apulian grapes, while France favors the smaller Sicilian ones. In MY 2013/14, Italy exported 15,514 MT of table grapes to Russia, mostly the Red Globe variety from Apulia. Italy's MY 2014/15 table grape exports are forecast to decrease as a consequence of the Russian ban. Moreover, approximately 9,300 MT of produce are forecast to be compensated by the EU intervention programs. Furthermore, new strategic markets could be represented by North Africa, Middle East, and Northern Europe. Seedless varieties (i.e. Sugar Crisp, Sweet Sunshine, Sweet Celebration, Sweet Sapphire, Jack's Salute, Cotton Candy) are not forecast to be heavily affected by the Russian ban as they are mainly sent to the United Kingdom, Scandinavian countries, and the United Arab Emirates. In MY 2013/14, Italy imported 20,237 MT of table grapes, mainly from Egypt (4,346 MT), the Netherlands (4,189 MT), Spain (4,134 MT), and Chile (2,704 MT).
Spain is a net exporter of table grapes and over 85 percent of its exports are destined to the EU-28 (United Kingdom, Germany, Portugal, and France). Exports to Russia reached 2,501 MT. Italy, Chile, and Peru are the main suppliers to the Spanish market.


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Prince - Purple Rain Poster
Official Licensed Music and Movie Poster - Produced in the USA. Printed onto 150gsm paper, the posters are produced using the highest resolution images and quality printing techniques.
The Poster
Purple Rain is the sixth studio album by American recording artist Prince, the first to feature his band the Revolution and is the soundtrack to the 1984 film of the same name. It was released on June 25, 1984 by Warner Bros. Records.
In the United States the album debuted at number 11 on the Billboard 200 the week of July 14, 1984 with approximately 1.5 million copies sold. After four weeks on chart, it reached number one on August 4, 1984. The first two singles from the album, "When Doves Cry" and "Let's Go Crazy", topped the US singles charts, and were hits around the world, while the title track went to number two on the Billboard Hot 100. Purple Rain was present on the Billboard 200 for one hundred twenty two weeks.
Prince and the Revolution won a 1984 Grammy Award for Purple Rain, for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, the four composers (Nelson, Coleman, Prince, and Melvoin) won Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media, and the album was nominated for Album of the Year. Purple Rain also won an Oscar for Best Original Song Score in 1985. As of 2008, it has sold over 25 million copies worldwide, making it the third-best-selling soundtrack album of all time. The album was certified 13-times platinum (diamond) by the RIAA. Purple Rain is regularly ranked among the best albums in music history and is widely regarded as Prince's magnum opus along with his 1987 double album Sign o' the Times.
This is a maxi poster measuring 610 x 910 mm
You can order the stand alone poster or you can order the poster pre-framed.
Framed Posters - Our pre-framed posters are the perfect way to decorate your walls. Each high quality licensed poster is supplied in our most popular 30mm profile black wood finished MDF frame which features a shatterproof perspex front and saw tooth brackets ready to hang on your wall.
Poster only - ships within 1 to 2 days. Courier delivery - posters are shipped using next day delivery for major centres and delivery within 3 days to outlying areas.
Framed Poster - ships within 1 to 2 days. Courier delivery - posters are shipped using next day delivery for major centres and delivery within 3 days to outlying areas.


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Q: How to disable Windows 10 window resize behavior after snapping? I like Windows' snapping features, for the most part. I have trouble with one aspect of the feature, which resizes a window back to its previous size after snapping, if you move the window. I would rather keep the window at the snapped size.
Follow these steps to see what I mean:

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*Open a new window

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*Note the size of the window at this point

*Snap it to the side of the screen (Win + LeftArrow)

*Resize the window to be shorter

*Move the window to another spot

You will observe after step 4 that the window returns to the size it was in step 1. Windows remembers that size and recalls it when you move the window. Is there a way to have Windows keep the size I set via snap/resize instead of the previous size?

A: I got tired of similar behaviors and so I turned off the Windows Aero effects and started using WindowPad instead.  It is a heavily customized AutoHotKey script that you can run as a standalone EXE with an INI file to configure it to your tastes.
When you do the snap in Step 2, WindowPad is actually moving and sizing the window to that location, rather than "snapping" it, so you can then make some adjustments to the size or position and it won't come "unsnapped".  There is a newer version of this called WindowPadX, but honestly I've never tried it because this does all that I need it to.
Below is my INI file, since I tweaked it a little from the default install, but it sounds like that's how you might want it.  The [exclude] sections can probably be ignored.  I think they are just there to keep WindowPad from messing with DisplayFusion, which I also have installed.
[Options]
TitleMatchMode=2

[Hotkeys]

[Hotkeys: Active Window (Numpad)]
*Numpad1 = WPM, -1, +1,  0.5, 0.5
*Numpad2 = WPM,  0, +1,  1.0, 0.5
*Numpad3 = WPM, +1, +1,  0.5, 0.5
*Numpad4 = WPM, -1,  0,  0.5, 1.0
*Numpad5 = WPM,  0,  0,  0.5, 1.0
*Numpad6 = WPM, +1,  0,  0.5, 1.0
*Numpad7 = WPM, -1, -1,  0.5, 0.5
*Numpad8 = WPM,  0, -1,  1.0, 0.5
*Numpad9 = WPM, +1, -1,  0.5, 0.5
*NumpadAdd = MaximizeToggle
*NumpadEnter = WindowScreenMove, Next
*NumpadDiv = GatherWindows, 1
*NumpadMult = GatherWindows, 2

[Hotkeys: Previous Window (Numpad)]
*Numpad1 = WPM, -1, +1,  0.5, 0.5,  P
*Numpad2 = WPM,  0, +1,  1.0, 0.5,  P
*Numpad3 = WPM, +1, +1,  0.5, 0.5,  P
*Numpad4 = WPM, -1,  0,  0.5, 1.0,  P
*Numpad5 = WPM,  0,  0,  0.5, 1.0,  P
*Numpad6 = WPM, +1,  0,  0.5, 1.0,  P
*Numpad7 = WPM, -1, -1,  0.5, 0.5,  P
*Numpad8 = WPM,  0, -1,  1.0, 0.5,  P
*Numpad9 = WPM, +1, -1,  0.5, 0.5,  P
*NumpadAdd = MaximizeToggle, P
*NumpadEnter = WindowScreenMove, Next, P
*NumpadDiv = GatherWindows, 1
*NumpadMult = GatherWindows, 2

[Exclude Windows]
Process=displayfusion.exe

[Gather: Exclude Windows]
Window=ahk_class SideBar_AppBarWindow
Window=ahk_class SideBar_HTMLHostWindow
Window=ahk_class BasicWindow

[Gather: Exclude Processes]
Process=displayfusion.exe

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


City of Hope's 28th annual Celebrity Softball Game continues to announce talent for the Saturday, June 9, event at First Tennessee Park. Bobby Bones, Brandi Cyrus, Lauren Alaina, Tegan Marie, Trent Harmon, Lucas Hoge, Jay Cutler and Marc Mariani have been added to the list of talent participating in the event. Teams iHeart Radio andGrand Ole Opry will meet at the field for a friendly competition for a great cause. CLICK HERE for tickets ranging $15 – $35. For media and photo passes, CLICK HERE.
Office Depot will join the game for the first time as a supporting sponsor. Other notable partners include CMA Fest, U.S. Army, Grand Ole Opry and iHeart Radio.
Big Machine artist and Season 15 winner of ABC's "American Idol" Trent Harmon will also perform the national anthem. City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game veteran and national radio personality Bobby Bones will continue as iHeart's team captain. Reigning ACM New Female Vocalist of the Year Lauren Alaina will return to the game after several years of support. DJ, fashion blogger and member of the Cyrus dynasty Brandi Cyrus will play in the game for the first time. Warner Music Nashville artist Tegan Marie, 14, one of the youngest female country singers to sign a record deal in decades, will participate in the game along with Billboard No. 1 artist Lucas Hogeand NFL players Jay Cutler and Marc Mariani.
As previously announced, The Scott Brothers are warming up for some sibling rivalry this year and Naomi Judd, who participated in the game in the early '90s, is dusting off her glove and returning as a play-by-play guest announcer. More talent will be announced soon.
Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com. As always, 100 percent of event net profits benefit City of Hope. For more information,visitcityofhope.org/softball or follow City of Hope onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram.
City of Hope is an independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as one of only 49 comprehensive cancer centers, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, City of Hope is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, with research and treatment protocols that advance care throughout the world. City of Hope is located in Duarte, California, just northeast of Los Angeles, with additional locations throughout Southern California. It is ranked as one of "America's Best Hospitals" in cancer by U.S. News & World Report. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a pioneer in the fields of bone marrow transplantation, diabetes andnumerous breakthrough cancer drugs based on technology developed at the institution.
Find the most current Lauren Alaina tour dates from our partners at Country Music On Tour, your trusted country concert ticket source!
Country Music News Blog participates in advertising programs that help fund the operation of this site. For more information please visit our privacy statement. This entry was posted in City of Hope, Community, Lauren Alaina, Press Releases by Shauna "WhiskeyChick" Castorena. Bookmark the permalink.


Observe nature, be inspired by it and start experimenting. These are the tenets upon which Loose Leaf was created by botanical designers Wona Bae and Charlie Lawler. In their stunning first book, Loose Leaf, they show us the many ways we can get creative with nature. It's filled with ways to bring the beauty of nature into our homes and our lives. Each chapter is dedicated to design with different natural materials such as cut flowers and foliage, sculptural medium and living plants. 10 projects explore the full range of Wona and Charlie's unique sculptures and botanical installations.


Tesco's UK arm is set to pay a £129m penalty over its accounting scandal and set up a £85m scheme to compensate investors.
The UK supermarket group said its subsidiary Tesco Stores had entered into a "deferred prosecution agreement" with the Serious Fraud Office to pay the penalty of £129m. The fine relates to false accounting at Tesco Stores in 2014 and will mean the company will avoid prosecution after a two-year investigation.
The draft agreement, due to go before a court on April 10, concerns only the potential criminal liability of Tesco Stores, the supermarket's UK subsidiary, and does not address whether liability of any sort attaches to the parent company or any of the group's employees or agents.
In September 2014, Tesco said it misstated profits during the first half of that year, with the discrepancy eventually growing to £326m. The retailer went on to report a £6.3bn loss in 2015, one of the biggest in British corporate history.
On Tuesday, the company said it had also agreed with the Financial Conduct Authority to set up a compensation scheme for shareholders and bondholders who bought assets between August 29 and September 19 in 2014.
The cost of the compensation measures will be in the region of £85m excluding interest. The scheme will be set up in August 2017 and will be administered by accountants KPMG.
As a result of the penalties, Tesco said it would book an exceptional charge of £235m in 2016/2017.
The FCA, which will not be issuing a fine on the supermarket, said the compensation scheme was the first time it had used its regulatory powers "to require a listed company to pay compensation for market abuse".
Over the last two and a half years, we have fully cooperated with this investigation into historic accounting practices, while at the same time fundamentally transforming our business. We sincerely regret the issues which occurred in 2014 and we are committed to doing everything we can to continue to restore trust in our business and brand.
Andrew Bailey, chief executive of the FCA said the company was "doing the right thing".
Tesco shares slipped 0.3 percent at the start of London trading.


When I was a child I remember saying to my parents that I was really lucky to have been born where I was and not in Africa. I don't think they really understood, they thought I was just saying one of those things children say that doesn't make sense to adults, but I've never forgotten it.
I was referring to famine and starvation at the time, and as I've grown and had my own 5 children I am even more grateful for them that we haven't ever had to struggle to eat.
The maternal health charity mothers2mothers have already reached out to over 1 million pregnant women and their babies are HIV negative. Birth should be about life, it's something most of us can take for granted, it'd be so much better if they could too.
Sunday December 1st is World Aids Day. Prevention and education is better than hoping for a cure.


• 2 Stage heat switching system.
• Ergonomic design: The pistol grip was designed through careful ergonomics research. It can be operated for extended periods comfortably even by someone with a small hand. The design allows full concentration on the work by making it easy to see the tip.


text:
Kenneth Jan Singleton (* 1951) ist ein US-amerikanischer Ökonom und Professor an der Stanford University. Singleton steht seit 2011 der Society for Financial Studies als Präsident vor. Er ist zudem seit 2012 Chefredakteur des renommierten Journal of Finance.

Ausbildung
Singleton studierte zunächst Mathematics-Economics am Reed College, welches er 1973 als Bachelor of Arts abschloss. Es folgte ein Masterstudium der Volkswirtschaftslehre an der University of Wisconsin bis 1977. Im August desselben Jahres wurde Singleton mit der Dissertation The Cyclical Behaviour of the Term Structure of Interest Rates zum Ph.D. promoviert. Für die Dissertation wurde ihm der Irving Fisher Award verliehen.

Forschung
Singleton leistete weitreichende Beiträge in der Ökonometrie und Finanzökonomie. Seine Hauptinteresse gilt ökonometrischen Methoden zum Schätzen von dynamischen Wertpapier-Preis-Modellen, Terminstruktur von Anleihen sowie Kredit- und Liquiditätsrisiken. Er arbeitete unter anderem mit dem Nobelpreisträger Lars Peter Hansen sowie mit Darrell Duffie, Jun Pan und Qiang Dai zusammen.

Seine Aufsätze erschienen in den angesehensten wissenschaftlichen Journalen, darunter Journal of Finance, Review of Financial Studies und Econometrica.

Professionelle Aktivitäten

Redakteur
 2000–2003: Review of Financial Studies

Chefredakteur
 seit 2012: The Journal of Finance

Vereinigungen
 1990–1993: Vizepräsident, Western Finance Association
 1993–1994: Präsident, Western Finance Association
 1994–1997 und 2004–2007: Direktor, American Finance Association
 seit 1982: Mitglied, National Bureau of Economic Research
 2008–2011: Vizepräsident, Society for Financial Studies
 seit 2011: Präsident, Society for Financial Studies

Ehrungen und Auszeichnungen
 Irving Fisher Award, 1978
 Frisch-Medaille der Econometric Society, 1984
 Fellow der Econometric Society, 1988
 Smith-Breeden Distinguished Paper Prize des Journal of Finance, 1997 und 2000
 All Star Paper des Journal of Financial Economics, 2001

Werke (Auswahl)
 New Approaches to Monetary Economics (Herausgeber, mit William Barnett), Cambridge University Press, 1987.
 Japanese Monetary Policy (Herausgeber), University of Chicago Press, 1993.
 mit Darrell Duffie: Credit Risk: Pricing, Management, and Measurement, Princeton University Press, 2003.
 Empirical Dynamic Asset Pricing, Princeton University Press, 2006.

Weblinks
 Persönliche Webseite bei der Uni Stanford (englisch)

Einzelnachweise

Ökonom (20. Jahrhundert)
US-Amerikaner
Geboren 1951
Mann
Chefredakteur

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
West Brom Sack Chairman
West Brom have sacked chairman John Williams and chief executive Martin Goodman as owner Guochuan Lai responded to the club's poor run of form. The Baggies lost 3-0 at Chelsea on Monday and are bottom of the Premier League table with 11 games left. A club statement said the changes "follow Albion's poor results". Both…"
West Brom have sacked chairman John Williams and chief executive Martin Goodman as owner Guochuan Lai responded to the club's poor run of form.
The Baggies lost 3-0 at Chelsea on Monday and are bottom of the Premier League table with 11 games left.
A club statement said the changes "follow Albion's poor results".
Both Williams and Goodman "have been placed on garden leave with immediate effect", with Mark Jenkins becoming the club's new chief executive.
West Brom have been in English football's top flight for eight successive seasons but have only picked up 20 points from 27 matches and are seven points behind 17th-placed Huddersfield Town.
UEFA Reveals Draw For Champions League Third Qualifying Round
Cristiano Ronaldo Makes History With A Century Of Goals In UEFA Champions League
PSG Director Hopeful Of Neymar, Di Maria's Return Against Marseille
Argentina Maradona admitted in hospital


US Airways Dividend Miles members who buy miles through June 30, 2011 will earn a 100 percent bonus.
Members can earn double miles on purchases of up to 50,000 miles. For example, you can buy 50,000 miles for $1,479.50 (including tax) and you'll receive 100,000 miles, which is enough for a roundtrip business class ticket from the U.S. to South America, North Asia (at 90,000 miles) or Europe. North Asia includes China, Hong Kong, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macau, Mongolia, South Korea, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
If you are able to travel during off-peak times between Jan. 15 and February 28, a roundtrip business class flight to Europe is only 60,000 miles.
Your Dividend Miles account must be open for 12 days or longer before you can purchase miles.


So here it is, the next project and I am more than fired up and ready to get on with this one... It is the biggest project I have been involved in and there is a lot of work, but I am going to go for it and see on some key decisions, such as a new play-field - I think it may end up with one. So... let's dive in.
SHOP LOG - THIS IS WAR!
Initial shots of the unit show what there is wrong, this cab isn't new to the forum and I managed to convince a fellow Norfolk pinball buddy to let me have this project to do. Everyone knows from my collection I am a huge horror fan and unfortunately limited on funds, so this made perfect sense as a project, once you have the bug, you have the bug.
The game arried into my office and I never really paid attention ot the artwork before, but have fallen in love with it, that castle scene - I love it, clearly a candidate for redecal, but I have always said, it is about the play-field and how it plays for me, so this can wait if it ever gets done. Note the cobwebs all over the machine, that's a feature you know, not one I will keep, but a feature.
I had to take the head off to transport home as I was going to be using my car - the play-field is coming out anyway and there is a tonne of testing work to be done, loom needs cleaning etc, so that didn't bother me. Boards looked ok from the front, but they of course (as we will see later) hide some terrible secrets (not so terrible, emphasised for the horror theme).
This is why it needs a new play-field, if there were an insert set, I would jump on that, I don't have to have a mint play-field on this, but those inserts I don't think will do.. so there is a decision to be made there. NO ONE MAKES AN INSERT KIT FOR BSD - it is so annoying and I have emailed everyone, the guy that makes the new play-field is really happy to sell me a new one, but not an insert set, which I kind of get, but also, find a little annoying. Closer inspection I can see some slight planking, so maybe not the end of the world that it will have to have a new one.
Luckily, Ron Jeremy is ok.
Back home and yes there is filth but it isn't the end of the world under there, everything will be coming out - so will go from there.
So the first thing I wanted to check was the driver board, with everything off, I am hoping I can go for a methodical look at what the issue is - having learnt what I have thus far from working on machines. The listing had the solenoids down as not working but the flippers as working, So I got my setup together, ready to go. It aint much, but it works.
Initial visual inspection, shows the heat sync paste is a little messy, probably ok, may cause some issues how thick it is on the bottom one there, I will have that off and re-paste once all working.
Trace repair looks ok - note the corrosion from the flux though, will have them off, clean, re-work. Buzzed out and all still good on the connections they make though - top and bottom side.
Sheared off screw heads and some more flux corrosion, will have the make these screws work again (probably cut a flat head into them) remove, desolder, clean, test component, resolder).
Didn't take a picture but also a connector has been reworked, needs the same love, rework and clean before going back in.
That was my initial findings, but all of the Bridge Rectifier and caps tested out ok with the meter - fuses all buzzed out too ok, will take out and clean tonight/tomorrow just to double check.
SO - if there is a power issue on the coils, I am going to start at the begining.
Ensure 51 VAC at pins J102 pin 8 and 5 from the transformer, this also controls the flippers which work, so be interesting to see what happens here.
The speaker panel and DMD were both like this and that yellowing you can see is nicotine I think, had the entire thing fully stripped down, cleaned the flasher board with alcohol, cleaned the panel down, sorted out the speaker panels by spraying them black.
In the backbox and on the boards and even in this little insert here I am finding spiders and the cobwebs on the boards took an age to get off.
Compared to what it was, this is sparkling, obviously I will do some work on the backbox, but want it up and running before I strip it down and this was something to do tonight whilst I had some time.
That's right, the sounds in the background you can hear is the solenoids working, but now... no flippers because of that wire being out I think, I could croc clip it but will look into that tomorrow.
Bit more of an update, mainly been focusing now on stripping down the play field, ready to try out the decals my friend made up. Cut them out quickly just to have a look over how they would look, think they look good, sent the designer over the colour variance and he has ammedned to blend it in much better, so will use the V2 ones one the actual inserts when I do them.
With the paint being taken back a bit on both sections I will try and sort that out too with a colour match. Although may try and paint that in, instead of airbrushing as it is quite minor.
Not that this element will be seen anyway, still.... getting better.
Looking good. I kinda like the face colour.
They are waterslides - or will be - depends on what I print them on I guess, just ordered all the stuff for waterslides though, but can be returned if anyone has any ideas?
Run some tests with the waterslides and whatever you decide to use to protect them.
A plastic playfield protector will be the easiest and possibly cheapest cover.
1k, 2k and lacquer can lighten or darken waterslides, so it's worth testing and adjusting colours as needed. When I did the Magic Circle playfield all the blues went a lot darker but as almost the whole playfield was waterslides it was not noticeable.
Start off with a bit of a random one...I have a UV light to set some hard coat I bought as found on Pinside, so as soon as I got it, I checked over the play field (I wanted to make sure it worked) and this came up.... weird.
"If my day wasn't Vlad enough... now your telling me Stern are running Spike!!!"
Oh.. gotta love them there operators - ladies and gentlemen, I give you Pinballs first adjustable rubber.
My TAF and STTNG have /had this not checked Dr Who because I have lost my UV light , can't remember if JD had it or creech ,it could be which supplier , supplied the playfield I think !
I remember seeing something about those numbers on Pinside. Something to do with gambling restrictions in American states and supply of pinball machines to operators.
I think they concluded that if a machine was found in a state where the machine was not distributed to they could use the hidden identifiers on the machine to track down the out of state distributer who originally purchased the machine and illegally put it where it was found.
More tearing down, this game is complicate and it is slow going with all the pictures I am taking.
Is it supposed to just pull the gate open then? The Myst gate?
Correct the coil energises and pulls it open. I thought mine had the wrong spring so I bought a new one with the correct part number but was the same so I'd say it's a design flaw.
Looking great mate. That coffin scoop is huge when you see it without the ramp and coffin.
Sorry if you have mentioned before, but are you planning on clear coating or putting down new Mylar down when done?
Well - I have now put the decals on - they came out OK - not as good as I had hoped, but better than when I got the machine - I used some UV setting clearcoat to level them out after and this has created a little glare on the darker inserts, but this is OK when the light comes through, this was never going to be a lovely machine, but it will be a playable one that now the player will know what is going on. So on that note, with what it owes me, I am happy with it.
Like many things in life, especially first times, things never live up to expectations.
It looks great to me. Massive improvement on what you started with. Be proud.
Yeah great work James. Inspiring! I've never played Dracula outside of virtual, but it's still one of my faves. Looking forward to seeing more progress.
What protector were you considering, I hear some can have an effect on things like ball spin?
Not that id probably be able to notice.
I looked at one on eBay due to price but after speaking to some people that was the feedback, basically avoid so I have and gone the clear route.
Enjoying this thread so far, its really making me want to get a BSD !