Summary

  • The Europe Committee takes evidence from International Trade Minister Greg Hands and Scottish Secretary David Mundell on Brexit.

  • Portfolio questions: rural economy and connectivity ministers followed by environment, climate change and land reform brief

  • Ministerial Statement: Scottish government responds to the social security consultation

  • Health Secretary Shona Robison will lead a debate in tribute to the late MND campaigner Gordon Aikman

  • SNP MSP Colin Beattie leads this evenings member's debate entitled: Industrial Strategy for a More Prosperous, Fairer Britain

  1. Devolved management of seabed assets to the island communitiespublished at 14:31 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February 2017

    Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur asks what consideration the government has given to piloting the devolved management of seabed assets to the island communities in Orkney and Shetland.

  2. Twenty hectares of woodland are being lost due to disease in the west coast areapublished at 14:31 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February 2017

    WoodlandImage source, Reuters

    Ms Cunningham says tackling threats to tree health is a priority for the government.

    Mr Chapman says 20 hectares of woodland are being lost due to disease in the west coast area and asks what more can be done.

    The environment secretary says she does not believe government plans are in any way insufficient and the budget will be sufficient to meet requirements.

  3. Diseases that affect woodland and forestrypublished at 14:27 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February 2017

    Tory MSP Peter Chapman asks what plans it has to prevent the spread of diseases that affect woodland and forestry.  

  4. Can restoration processes be clearerpublished at 14:26 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February 2017

    Labour MSP Claudia Beamish asks if the land reform secretary has considered making the restoration processes more clear.

    Ms Cunningham says it is an interesting point and she will look into it. 

  5. Government supporting work to make mining sites safepublished at 14:26 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February 2017

    Land Reform Secretary Roseanna Cunningham says a task force was established to deal with employment and restoration of sites. 

    Ms Cunningham says the government continues to work closely with stakeholders.

    Mr Whittle says the mining companies were supposd to be accumulating a mining fund but the funds had been underestimated.

    Land Reform Secretary Roseanna CunninghamImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Land Reform Secretary Roseanna Cunningham

    He says these sites need to be made safe and asks if the government will invest in this.

    Ms Cunningham says the government are supporting work on this. 

    She say this is a matter the government takes very seriously. 

  6. Postpublished at 14:24 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February 2017

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  8. Safe restoration of opencast coal mine sitespublished at 14:22 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February 2017

    Tory MSP Brian Whittle asks what action the government is taking to ensure the safe restoration of opencast coal mine sites in East Ayrshire and the south of Scotland.  

  9. Environment, climate change and land reform briefpublished at 14:22 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February 2017

    It is now the turn of environment, climate change and land reform ministers to take the hot seats.

  10. May or June before live poultry restrictions are removedpublished at 14:22 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February 2017

    Mr EwingImage source, bbc

    Mr Ewing says there has been one reported finding of avian flu involving a wild pelican falcon.

    He says there have been no traces of avian flu in live poultry. 

    Ms Harries asks when restrictions on live poultry will be removed.

    Mr Ewing says the virus is not likely to be killed off until the warmer weather arrives so it is likely to be May or June. 

    He says the government have taken veterinary advice on this. 

  11. Background: Scottish bird flu restrictions to remain in placepublished at 14:21 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February 2017

    chickensImage source, afp
    Image caption,

    The H5N8 bird flu strain has been found in poultry and wild birds in 14 European countries including Germany and France

    Restrictions placed on bird keepers to prevent the spread of bird flu will remain in place until the end of April, the Scottish government has said.

    Poultry and captive birds must be housed indoors until 28 February but can be let outside after that providing "enhanced biosecurity" is put in place.

    The Avian Influenza Prevention Zone was declared in December.

    It followed an outbreak of bird flu among turkeys at a farm in Lincolnshire.

    More than 5,000 birds at the farm in Louth were diagnosed with the H5N8 strain of avian flu.

    The disease has also caused the deaths of wild birds and poultry in 14 European countries.

  12. Avian flupublished at 14:19 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February 2017

    Tory MSP Alison Harris asks whether the government will provide an update on the incidence of avian flu, and what advice and support it is giving to commercial and domestic poultry keepers.  

  13. 'Government should not dictate to businesses'published at 14:19 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February 2017

    Fergus EwingImage source, bbc

    Tory MSP Peter Chapman says there is a performance gap in public service contracts in the food and drink sector and asks how this can be narrowed.

    Mr Ewing says he is not sure he accepts that and asks Mr Chapman to send him evidence.

    The rural economy secretary says there are business issues and government should not dictate to businesses.

  14. It would be a "human tragedy" to see EU nationals leaving - Fergus Ewingpublished at 14:17 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February 2017

    Mr Ewing says he convened a round table discussion this month with a view of boosting the economic potential of food and drink.

    He says progress will be monitored.

    The minster stresses the importance of EU nationals to the Scottish food and drink industryImage source, PA
    Image caption,

    The minster stresses the importance of EU nationals to the Scottish food and drink industry

    Ms Martin says the industry is worried that European workers may not secure their status post-Brexit and asks what contingencies can be put in place.

    Mr Ewing says EU nationals are important to this sector and they are all welcome in Scotland. 

    The rural economy secretary says it would be a "human tragedy" to see people leaving and it would shrink the economy. 

  15. Scottish firms in the food and drink sectorpublished at 14:14 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February 2017

    SNP MSP Gillian Martin asks how the government supports Scottish firms in the food and drink sector in accessing public sector contracts.

  16. Police prepared to investigate and secure convictions on livestock worryingpublished at 14:14 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February 2017

    lambsImage source, bbc

    Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing says livestock worrying can be devastating and police are prepared to investigate all instances and securing convictions.

    Ms Smith says the costs of livestock worrying has tripled in Scotland and are farmers aware they should contact the police in the first instance.

    Mr Ewing says the primary responsibility is that of the dog owner and there is legislation in place.

  17. Livestock worryingpublished at 14:13 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February 2017

    Tory MSP Liz Smith asks what the government is doing to tackle livestock worrying.

  18. Profits for public service contractpublished at 14:11 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February 2017

    Labour MSP Neil Findlay asks if the minister will publish the profits of the public service contract.

    Mr Yousaf says he will write to the member. 

  19. Minister to look into signage issuespublished at 14:11 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February 2017

    Transport Minister Humza YousafImage source, bbc
    Image caption,

    Transport Minister Humza Yousaf

    Tory MSP Margaret Mitchell says there are problems with a lack of signage at the Raith Interchange including letting motorists know quickly enough of the new layout.

    Ms Mitchell asks the minister to take up the issue and asks for a timeframe for completion.

    Transport Minister Humza Yousaf says he takes Ms Mitchell's point on signage and will look into it. 

    He says it should be complete by spring 2017

  20. Question on the Scottish Roads Partnershippublished at 14:09 Greenwich Mean Time 22 February 2017

    Tory MSP Margaret Mitchell asks when the government last met representatives from the Scottish Roads Partnership.