Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur says agricultural shows provide a gathering place to build links between rural communities.

He also notes the funds raised during these shows often go towards community activities and work.

Mr McArthur also highlights the important of getting young people into farming.

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Scottish Green MSP John Finnie stresses the importance of preserving and protecting Scotland's rich heritage through farming and agriculture.

Mr Finnie pays tribute to the Highland bars, and the story telling of the Gypsy/Travellers.

The Green MSP says the link with the land is vital and people have great affection for the communities.

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Labour MSP Alex Rowley says agriculture is a crucial part of our economy and he highlights the agricultural shows in Fife over the years.

Mr Rowley points to the Fife Show in Coupar whose aim is to support and promote agriculture.

He says even though he comes from a background of coalmining in Fife he is fully aware of the importance of farming and agricutlure generally to the area.

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SNP MSP Emma Harper highlights concerns about Brexit in the farming community, including around tariffs and EU workers.

She praises farmers, growers and crofters and the businesses they support.

Ms Harper concludes: "From farm to fork Scotland's economy is rural."

Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton highlights 10% of the population attend at least one agricultural show in the UK each year.

She speaks highly of the shows which take place in her own constituency in the Borders.

Stone walls and barns are important for collecting livestock, but they are also an important link to our history Ms Hamilton states.

The shows inspire young people to take up agriculture and instill a love of the countryside, she adds.

The Tory MSP highlights that agriculture at degree level is starting to gain popularity and she suggests the SQA introduce a qualification into schools.

Image source, PA

This year's Royal Highland Show took place at the weekend in Ingliston on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

The show, which is in its 178th year, attracted tens of thousands of visitors.

See more photographs here.

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Here is Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton's motion.

It:

• notes there are 200 agricultural shows held across the UK
• highlights many farmers can trace back ancestral links with their land for centuries
• speaks about the importance of the physical heritage of farming
• refers to efforts to preserve traditional customs and practices

Image source, Scottish parliament

Image source, PA

Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton will now lead a debate titled 'The Culture and Heritage Value of Agriculture'.

The chamber will sit earlier than normal at 1:15pm to allow for a member's debate on the culture and heritage value of agriculture, led by Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton.

Portfolio questions will see communities, social security and equalities ministers in the hot seat.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart will respond the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group's report in a ministerial statement.

MSPs will then debate Prescription (Scotland) Bill for the first time. This legislation deals with efforts to get people not to dilly dally in enforcing their rights.

Image source, Getty Images

After that, MSPs discuss the standards committee's report on the sexual harassment complaint against Mark McDonald MSP - with a vote on the recommended sanctions at decision time.

Ending the day, SNP MSP Ash Denham celebrates the NHS at 70. Yes, you read that right - MSPs get yet another chance to discuss the health service's anniversary.

Green MSP John Finnie asks what additional decision making powers will come to Scotland.

Mr Gove urges the Scottish government to take the opportunity to spell out how it will support farmers and protect the economy.

There will be scope for creativity, he adds.

Convener Edward Mountain wraps up the session.

Tory MSP Jamie Greene asks about balancing the need to protect domestic agriculture while negotiating new trade deals at the same time.

Mr Gove speaks about the potential of increasing exports in countries which consume parts of animals that domestically do not do well.

He suggests this could bolster both domestic and external trade.

Image source, bbc

Nicola Sturgeon's major reshuffle of her government has continued with nine new junior ministers being selected.

The first minister announced sweeping changes to her cabinet on Tuesday, with Shona Robison and Keith Brown among the biggest names leaving the top team.

Changes continued on Wednesday with the new junior ministers which included seven first elected in 2016.

All new ministerial appointments will be subject to a vote of parliament on Thursday afternoon.

Tuesday's cabinet reshuffle saw five new cabinet secretaries join Ms Sturgeon's top team, which expanded from 10 secretaries to 12.

Among the major moves, Jeane Freeman replaced Ms Robison as health secretary, Mike Russell rejoined the cabinet as constitutional relations secretary and Humza Yousaf was promoted to the justice brief.

• Who's who in Nicola Sturgeon's government
• Robison quits as Sturgeon reshuffles cabinet

Labour MSP Colin Smyth asks about proposals around the EU protected food name scheme.

We want to ensure geographical protections continue to be recognise after Brexit and so does the EU, insists Mr Gove.

When will it be enshrined in UK law asks Mr Smyth.

The UK government is anxious to do this soon but we must respect the negotiation process, Mr Gove explains.

SNP MSP Gail Ross wonders about the idea of controlled migration for agricultural workers.

The secretary of state suggests the rise in support for migration since the Brexit referendum is a result of people being more comfortable with migration when it is managed.

Mr Gove accepts seasonal workers are critical and confirms the UK government is considering how to facilitate these employees.

We all need the expertise the European citizens provide, he adds.

Should Scotland have control over its own immigration policy, Ms Ross asks.

All the nations of the UK must work together on this, responds Mr Gove.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has today nominated nine new ministers for appointment to the Scottish government.

Subject to Parliamentary approval, the following new ministers will be appointed:

• Claire Haughey, a former mental health nurse who continues to hold an honorary nursing position, will take on the role of minister for mental health
• Former college lecturer Gillian Martin has been appointed as minister for further education, higher education and science
• Kate Forbes is to become minister for public finance and digital economy, working with the finance secretary on managing the Scottish government budget and on tax policy
• Ivan McKee will take on the role of minister for trade, investment and innovation

Image source, bbc

• Christina McKelvie is appointed to a new role of minister for older people and equalities, with her responsibilities including disabilities and the protection and development of social and human rights
• Mairi Gougeon takes on a new role of minister for rural affairs and the natural environment – reporting jointly to Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing and Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham
• Ash Denham is appointed as minister for community safety
• Ben MacPherson takes on the role of minister for Europe, migration and international development
• Graeme Dey will become the new minister for parliamentary business and veterans, reporting to Michael Russell

Tory MSP Peter Chapman raises the forthcoming agriculture and fisheries bills to allow payments to continue to be paid.

What arrangements will be made to ensure Scottish farmers will receive them or will the Scottish government be required to bring forward its own legislation, he asks.

Mr Gove says ideally the UK government will want to bring forward a bill to cover farmers in England, clauses of which have been shared with the Scottish government.

I would imagine the Scottish government would wish to bring forward its own agriculture bill to sit alongside the UK one, he suggests.

On fisheries, Mr Gove confirms a white paper is coming.

We want to make sure Scotland can continue to make use of the devolved responsibilities it has, he adds.

SNP MSP John Mason requests clarification that the review of EU CAP subsidies will only consider future funding.

The review will consider future funding with a look at past funding, Mr Gove explains.

He states no money will be clawed back since it has already been spent or allocated.

The Scottish government has repeatedly accused the Treasury of a "great rural robbery" of £160m in EU subsidies it says is owed to hill farmers north of the border.

We will honour the integrity of the individuals that made those decisions at the time, the minister adds.

Are you saying you would not even consider looking again at the money and reallocate it, Mr Mason presses.

We do not want to punish or penalise other parts of the UK though it will be for the review to consider such matters, Mr Gove replies.