EU Food Safety Overhaul: Sri Lanka has tightened agricultural export controls after EU regulators flagged excessive pesticide residues, making SL-GAP certification mandatory for fresh produce bound for the EU and restricting handling to registered exporters. CAP and Budget Pressure: Ireland’s Fine Gael is pushing for a standalone CAP with payments indexed to inflation, plus simpler delivery under the next EU budget, as ministers and capitals debate how much cohesion and farm support should be protected. Fertiliser Cost Relief: The EU Commission has cleared €15m in French state aid for agriculture and aquaculture facing higher fuel costs, while Spain also secured €500m to offset fertiliser price pressure. Farm Fraud Crackdown: Greece continues to reel from EU farm subsidy fraud, with police arrests tied to the OPEKEPE case and prosecutors pursuing suspects in Athens. Trade and Value-Chain Shift: South Africa’s zero-tariff access to China is driving more than volume growth, pushing apple and pear exporters toward premium varieties, tighter quality control, and brand-focused strategies. Climate Risk Training: More than 7,700 farmers have been trained in climate risk financial management, building resilience through practical planning for extreme weather impacts.