Mr Kerr uses his motion to praise the work of the Aberdeenshire-based military charity, Horseback UK.

For just under 10 years Horseback UK has helped injured soldiers and veterans using horsemanship skills, and continues to do so today..

The purpose behind the charity is to inspire recovery, regain self-esteem and provide a sense of purpose and community to the wounded, injured and sick within the military community.

Image source, bbc

Mr Kerr says that for the last four years, the charity has taken its knowledge gained from working with veterans to other communities, including activities involving sport and disengaged young people, in order to enable those who have been injured mentally or physically to then help others.

The Tory MSP says the charity has developed mentoring programmes to create a sense of community and purpose for those hurt and who now have a real desire to change public perception towards mental health and disability.

Image source, bbc

As Tory MSP Liam Kerr gets underway he welcomes those from Horseback UK to the gallery.

Back in Aboyne Patrick is chomping at the bit to watch this debate......

Image source, Horseback UK

Some of you may remember last year when Tory MSP Liam Kerr held the parliament in the palm of his hand recounting a story about Jock Hutchison, Horseback UK and, of course a horse, only to dramatically pause the tail until now.

We're fairly certain he will now finish the story.

Image source, Horseback UK

Tory MSP Liam Kerr leads a member’s debate focussing on the work of the Aberdeenshire-based veterans charity Horseback UK.

MSPs reject the Conservative amendement from the plastic pollution debate.

34 MSPs backed it and 62 voted against with 26 abstentions.

The government motion, as amended by Labour and the Greens is unanimously passed.

Image source, Will Ross

Roseanna Cunningham agrees to consider every idea brought to the debate today.

A summit will be held later this year to discuss how to work across boundaries, she confirms.

The cabinet secretary reveals her officials have been unable to get confirmation on the UK government on its plans for a deposit return scheme.

She warns that there are issues with banning certain materials, but agrees to consider how legislation could be used for this.

Image source, bbc

Environement Secretary Roseanna Cunningham says we must relearn our relationship with plastics.

Ms Cunningham pays tribute to Fiona Robertson from Aberdeen who directly led to the appointment of a disabilty advisor to the expert panel on plastic waste.

She says she accepts the amendments except for the Conservative one, accusing the Tories of trying to shoehorn incineration into this debate.

Tory MSP Donald Cameron points to UK government action to reduce plastic waste and welcomes the Scottish government's backing of the plan to abolish single-use plastics by 2030.

Mr Cameron notes a strategy has not yet been published be adds he "waits in good faith".

Turning to his party's amendment on the moratorium on incinerators (or "Maurice-torium", as he deems it), he says it would send a message that burning plastics is unacceptable.

Marine plastics costs the fishing industry up to £11.5m a year in loss of earnings and repairs, the Tory MSp states.

He concludes by calling for cross-party working to tackle single use plastics.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Alex Rowley says after the final episode of Blue Planet the spotlight has been on the use of plastics across the world.

Mr Rowley says public mood and the desire to change things from the better arose from this episode and there is now energy for change.

He says it is estimated that by 2050 the amount of plastic in the ocean will outweigh fish.

The Labour MSP says acces to public drinking water could help this.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell recognises the importance of community-based initiatives in tackling plastic pollution and increasing education and awareness of the issue.

He notes low-grade plastic from the UK is often shipped to Asia for "dumping".

To improve confidence in recycling, Mr Ruskell suggests it is important the public can trace where waste goes.

Touching on incineration, the Green MSP says he shares the concerns raised by Maurice Corry and notes he has raised the issue of speculative applications with ministers.

SNP MSP Richard Lochhead recalls his previous efforts as environment secretary to encourage the UK government to get behind a deposit return scheme.

He welcomes positive movement on this.

A Scandinavian deposit-based system for recycling bottles is thought likely to be adopted in the UK.

Advisers to government say the schemes have massively reduced plastic litter in the environment and seas.

And a ministerial delegation has been to Norway to see if the UK should copy an industry-led scheme that recycles 97% of bottles.

In the UK, figures show that only around half of all plastic bottles get recycled.

Read more.

Tory MSP Maurice Corry welcomes members of the Marine Conservation Society Scotland, external to the gallery.

Here are a couple of startling images from the Marine Conservation Society website.

Image source, Marine Conservation Society

Image source, Marine Conservation Society

Image source, NATALIE WELDEN

A year ago we reported that a search of 279 beaches around the UK has found that almost three-quarters of them were littered with tiny plastic "nurdles".

Volunteers signed up to search their local shoreline, ranging between Shetland and the Scilly Isles, for the lentil-sized pellets, used as a raw material to make plastic products.

They can cause damage to such wildlife as birds and fish, which eat them.

The findings will be reflected in a government study into microplastics.

Lib Dems MSP Liam McArthur begins by stating plastic is not a niche element of the wider waste debate.

He welcomes the Scottish government's commitment to ban single use plastics by 2030.

1,200 disposable cups are bought by the Scottish government each day, he says, urging ministers to consider their own approach to waste.

He suggests charging for single use cups may be appropriate.

On nurdles, he says responsible practice must be put in place across the supply system.

"There has never been a better opportunity or a greater need to stem the tide of plastic pollution."

Image source, ELITZA GERMANOV/MARINE MEGAFAUNA FOUNDATION

Scientists say there needs to be more research into the impact of plastic pollution on sharks, whales and rays.

A study, in the journalTrends in Ecology and Evolution, says the creatures may be swallowing hundreds of tiny bits of plastic a day.

Microplastic pollution has the potential to further reduce the population sizes of the large filter feeders, they say.

Yet, there is very little research being carried out into the risks.

Read more here.

Prime Minister Theresa May has pledged to eradicate all avoidable plastic waste in the UK by 2042.

The commitment is part of the government's 25-year plan to improve the natural environment.

"I think people will be shocked at how today we allow so much plastic to be produced needlessly," the PM said.

But green groups are angry the proposals will have no legal force - and Jeremy Corbyn said 25 years was "far too long" to take action.

The Labour leader said the "throw-away" culture had to be tackled "now," after his party described Mrs May's plans as a "cynical attempt at rebranding the Tories' image".

• Where does the plastic bag charge go?
• Seven charts that explain plastic pollution

• Six simple ways to cut back on plastic
• What impact will microbead ban have?

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Kate Forbes says fast food restaurants in the EU use enough straws to get to the moon and back ten times.

Ms Forbes welcomes the appointment of a disability advisor to the expert panel on plastic pollution.

She says her Final Straw campaign, external has made progeress already.

The SNP MSP says 11 local authorites have already pledged to eliminate plastic straws and an additional six are considering the proposal.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell argues the waste hierarchy is essential in guiding an strategy.

He says incineration should have no place in getting rid of plastics.

Immediate bans, phase-out deadlines, levies and deposit return schemes are all options worth considers, he states.

The ravages of climate change and habitat loss will only be intensified by plastic pollution, Mr Ruskell concludes.