Deforestation & Cocoa Trade: Global Witness says Mondelez (Toblerone/Cadbury) has been lobbying in Brussels to weaken the EU’s deforestation rules that would tighten due diligence for cocoa imports, with the firm also flagged for not disclosing how much cocoa is deforestation-free. El Niño Food Risk: Africa is bracing for a potentially very strong El Niño, with NOAA warning of higher odds of extreme conditions; Southern Africa faces drought and heat, while parts of East Africa could see heavier rain and flooding—raising alarms for food, water, health and power. South Africa Farm Outlook: Agbiz/IDC confidence in agriculture is up to 53, but farmers and agribusinesses still fear El Niño-linked drought and next-season price pressure. FMD Vaccine Pricing Probe: South Africa’s agriculture ministry suspended OBP’s acting CEO over alleged inflated FMD vaccine costs, while farmers welcomed the investigation and temporary halt. Livestock Vaccines in Tanzania: Tanzania’s veterinary agency plans to expand livestock vaccine production and improve delivery, including demand for Newcastle disease vaccines administered via drinking water. Kenya Coffee Research: Kenya’s coffee researchers are screening new varieties combining Arabica and Robusta traits to better resist pests and diseases as coffee spreads into new areas. Uganda Investment Push: Uganda’s PM Nabbanja urged global investors at Dubai’s AIM to back agriculture and value addition, citing long-running peace and incentives. South Africa Pork Resilience: The pork industry reports it is adapting to ongoing animal health shocks, including managing repeated FMD incidents and strengthening control systems.