Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur says some farmers are yet to receive CAP payments and will the minister write to farmers to address this.

Mr Ewing says a loan scheme was brought in and implemented in the first week in November, he says that this allowed most farmers to get their payments. 

Image source, Thinkstock

Last September farmers raised concerns about fresh issues with subsidy payments overseen by the Scottish government.

Ministers have set up a loan scheme to get funds to farmers who are yet to receive Common Agricultural Policy subsidies because of IT issues.

However unions said there had been errors in calculating the loan offers sent out to hundreds of farmers.

A government spokeswoman said they "regret this miscalculation" and were acting to get payments out on time.

Opposition parties said the CAP payment scheme had become a "complete shambles".

Image source, bbc

Mr Ewing says he will be meeting with the new presidential NFU Scotland team tomorrow. 

The rural economy secretary says the SRUC arrange, facilitate and manage meetings for farmers.

He says a wide range of activities are being under taken by SRUC. 

Image source, PAUL WATT PHOTOGRAPHY

The new president of NFU Scotland has said the union needs a "real strategy" to secure the interests of farming during the Brexit process.

Andrew McCornick, a livestock farmer from near Dumfries, replaces Allan Bowie who has served two years.

The role of president is an important one, acting as a liaison with government ministers.

Mr McCornick said the role would be essential over the next two years to fill the "vacuum" created by Brexit.

Tory MSP Douglas Ross asks when the government last met the board of NFU Scotland and what issues were discussed.

Image source, bbc

Connectivity Secretary Fergus Ewing says the £400m investment from the government and partners will extend fibre broadband access to 95% of premises.

Mr Ewing says, to date 4215 premises have been given access in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency. 

Last August we reported more than 85% of households in Scotland then had access to fibre broadband, but reaching the remaining rural areas will be a challenge, according to a report.

Audit Scotland said it expected this figure to rise to 95% by December 2017 if BT continued to meet its targets.

However, extending coverage to rural areas will require "more complicated and costly engineering solutions".

Image source, GETTY IMAGES

The Scottish government also has "much to do" to achieve a world class digital infrastructure by 2020, auditors said.

That included defining clearly what "world class" meant and setting out plans for how it will be achieved, the report added.

The Scottish government wants everyone in Scotland to be able to access the internet at any time and on any device by 2020.

SNP MSP Christina McKelvie asks whether the government will provide an update on the roll-out of broadband in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency.  

First up, rural economy and connectivity ministers will take questions

First up in the chamber this afternoon, we have portfolio questions.

We begin with the rural economy and connectivity brief, followed by environment, climate change and land reform questions. 

We'll be back with full and extensive coverage of all this afternoon's proceedings in the chamber at 2pm.

We begin with portfolio questions which will focus on rural economy and connectivity followed by environment, climate change and land reform.

This will be followed by a statement from the government on its consultation on social security in Scotland. 

The government will then lead a debate in tribute to the late MND campaigner Gordon Aikman. 

After decision time, this evening's member's debate will be led by SNP MSP Colin Beattie and is entitled 'Industrial Strategy for a More Prosperous and Fairer Britain'.

Committee convener Joan McAlpine thanks Scottish Secretary David Mundell for his evidence and asks him to indicate whether or not he can come back before the committee after the Article 50 letter is submitted. 

Mr Mundell says he will be very happy to come back after the Article 50 letter is submitted.

Ms McAlpine moves the committee into private session. 

Image source, bbc

The Scottish secretary says he has not dismissed the views of the Scottish Parliament, but Scotland has two parliaments and wider views must be taken into account.

Mr Mundell says he has the migrtation report from the committee and he takes it seriously.

He says he will have an open mind to evidence that is provide.

Committee convener Joan McAlpine asks if there is an obligation for the UK government to consider a differentiated approach for Scotland 

Mr Mundell says Scotland's needs are being considered. 

Ms McAlpine says points in the Scottish government paper have been dismissed by the UK government, such as membership of the EEA. 

Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton asks about Scotland's membership of the EU.

Mr Mundell says: "At the end of this process Scotland will be out of the EU along with the rest of the UK."

Mr Mundell says he refutes the perception Mr McMillan describes. 

Mr Mundell says he has made it clear that there is no intention to change the operation of the Sewel Convention.

The Scottish secretary says the Great Repeal BIll would require legislative consent from the devolved nations. 

He says the Sewel Convention is a convention which has been put on a statutory footing and the UK government are committed to abiding by it. 

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan says the Smith Commission recommended the Sewel Convention be put on a statutory footing.

The Sewel Convention is an important aspect of the devolution settlement, and is reflected in the Memorandum of Understanding between the UK Government and the Scottish Government (formerly Scottish Executive) and in Devolution Guidance Note 10. 

Image source, bbc

Judges at the Supreme Court rejected the Scottish government's argument that Holyrood should get a say on the triggering of Article 50.

The court decided that MPs must have a say on starting the formal process of Brexit via an act of parliament.

However, they also rejected arguments from the Lord Advocate that devolved administrations should also have a say.

Mr McMillan says he concludes that what is in the Scotland Act regarding the Sewel Convention is meaningless, worthless and should be removed.

Committee convener Joan McAlpine raises universities and asks why the UK government has designated them as a low priority as was reported in The Times.

Mr Mundell says universities are not a low priority and they have been designated as one of the 12 key areas in the UK government white paper.

Ms McAlpine asks if Mr Mundell is saying The Times is wrong because "it is a reputable newspaper".

The Scottish secretary says there are many reports in the media and it may not be approprate to comment on individual titles.

He reiterates that education is a key area.

Image source, bbc

Green MSP Alison Johnstone asks about post 2020 funding for agriculture and fisheries.

"I am absolutely committed to ensure Scotland does not lose out,"  says Mr Mundell.

Image source, SAMRYLEY

Holyrood's Europe committee has called for Scotland to be allowed its own separate immigration deal after Brexit.

The committee, which includes representatives of all Holyrood's parties, said there were "acute" risks for EU migrants living in Scotland and called for a "differentiated" solution.

The call follows a similar one made by a cross-party group of Westminster MPs.

The UK government has pledged to discuss the devolution of additional powers as the country leaves the EU.