Image source, bbc

Scottish Conservative MSP Peter Chapman welcomes "the new cuddly Mr Ewing".

Mr Chapman, a farmer, says the Scottish government responds to everything the UK does as doom for Scotland.

He says there are opportunities here.

Mr Chapman saysthere needs to be a policy that is simple, easy to follow and respects and enhances the environmen.

Here's the Scottish Conservative amendment.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Mr Ewing says the priority is to protect rural interests and he will work tirelessly towards this aim.

Mr Ewing says the government agree with the Labour amendment in terms of repatriation and powers.

The rural economy secretary says it is hard to see any evidence of respect from UK ministers.

He says Scotland's rural economy faces three main threats post-Brexit:

• loss of labour
• loss of access to the single market
• loss of support

Mr Ewing says he is concerned at UK ministers’ apparent desire to create a UK-wide policy approach on devolved rural matters without consultation with, or the agreement of, the Scottish Parliament and Scottish ministers.

The minister resolves to continue to make the case for fair funding for rural development in Scotland.

Image source, bbc

He wants the current devolution settlement to be enhanced through repatriation of appropriate powers and the devolution of additional powers to protect rural Scotland’s interests.

The rural affairs secretary says EU funding is vital for Scotland's rural communities.

Mr Ewing says he is slightly skeptical about UK funding post-Brexit given the UK government's track record.

The rural economy secretary says English moorland farmers receive more than Scottish moorland farmers.

He says at present there is no level playing field north and south of the border. 

Mr Ewing says he remain dissatisfied on sea fish arrangements.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing says the clear intention of the UK government to take the UK out of the single market means the rural economy has an uncertain future.

Mr Ewing says he seeks cross-party support on protecting rural economies.

The rural economy secretary says he will support the Labour and Lib Dem amendments.

He says devolution has been good for rural Scotland. 

Here is the Scottish government motion on rural development.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur asks when parliament can get a detailed plan on district heating.

Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham says this will be a part of the energy strategy. 

Image source, bbc

Green MSP Mark Ruskell says many of the 21 recommendations from the Committee on Climate Change have been rejected.

Mr Ruskell calls for compulsary soil testing.

The minister say she has already committed to this.

The draft plan sets out that by 2032:

• Scotland will have a fully decarbonised electricity sector able to remove CO2 from the atmosphere• 80% of domestic heat will be provided by low carbon heat technologies • The proportion of ultra-low emission new cars and vans registered in Scotland annually will reach at least 40% • 250,000 hectares of degraded peatlands will be restored (against 1990 levels)• We will have increased our annual woodland creation target to create at least 15,000 hectares per year.

Detailed proposals to achieve a 66% reduction in Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions have been published by Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham. 

Ms Cunningham has said the Scottish government’s draft Climate Change Plan demonstrates “a new level of ambition” in its work to build a prosperous low carbon economy and a fairer, healthier Scotland.

Scotland has already exceeded its 2020 climate change target by achieving a 42% reduction in emissions six years early.

The draft Climate Change Plan raises ambitions higher still by setting out how Scotland can reduce emissions by 66% by 2032.