EU Budget Fight: EU leaders in Brussels kick off talks on the bloc’s next €2tn long-term budget, with net payers pushing cuts that could reduce agriculture and cohesion’s share from ~60% to 44%, while “Friends of Cohesion” countries warn agriculture funding must not be penalised. Fertiliser Relief: The EU moves to simplify fertiliser rules and fast-track CAP support to ease fertiliser price pressure on farmers. GMO/Gene Editing: EU lawmakers back new genomic techniques rules and streamline plant reproductive material rules, keeping the debate alive over consumer rights and farmer competitiveness. Ukraine Accession: The EU opens Ukraine’s first “Fundamentals” negotiating cluster, shifting focus from laws on paper to implementation capacity across rule of law, anti-corruption, procurement and public administration. Organic Standards: Ghana advances a nationally managed organic certification scheme aligned with EU organic regulation, aiming to unlock premium markets for organic farmers. Farm Engagement: Britain’s Open Farm Sunday marks 20 years with 200,000+ visitors and 283 farmers opening their gates. Climate & Soil: Research links intensifying Saharan dust over Europe to changes in soil microbes, raising both risks and possible crop-growth benefits for vineyards.