SNP MSP John Mason asks about the area of the CAP convergence review.

Mr Mason says Scotland's average payments per hectare were lower than the UK average and the UK received £190m extra for that but Scotland only received £30m.

He asks if there has been a review about this.

Mr Gove explains that money has been allocated and is in the budgets of the devolved governments.

The minister acknowledges that it is in the nature of the landscape of Scotland that there is a preponderance of less favoured areas.

This must be reflected going forward, he say.

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

The two governments have been locked in a dispute over where extra Common Agricultural Policy funds should go.

Minister Fergus Ewing said the cash was "misappropriated" by the Treasury.

UK Rural Affairs Secretary Michael Gove thanks the committee for giving him the opportunity to appear before them today.

He says he hopes to give evidence in person some time before March 2019.

Again, Mr Gove emphasises a positive relationship with Scottish government ministers.

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It is now the turn of the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee, who are focusing in agriculture and fisheries.

Convener Edward Mountain opens the session.

Read the committee papers here. , external

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Green MSP Mark Ruskell raises air quality concerns around the expansion of Heathrow

The approval will depend on satisfying air legal requirements around air quality, replies Mr Gove.

The UK minister says he is happy to look at any proposal from Fergus Ewing.

SNP MSP Angus Macdonald asks the final question, which is about rewilding.

He asks about the reintroduction of the lynx and the impact on farmers.

Mr Gove answers he is always interested about the possibility about the reintroduction of native species close to extinction.

He says quite a high bar would have to be crossed for the reintroduction of the lynx that will be set by an independent body.

Committee convener John Scott draws the first evidence session to a close, but don't go away the Rural Economy Committee evidence session with Mr Gove is next.

The union is a partnership, insists Mr Gove.

I believe it is a partnership of equals and the UK government can learn from the Scottish government as times, he adds.

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SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson says the EU Withdrawal Bill section 15 basically gives the UK government the right to enforce its view over Scotland.

Mr Stevenson adds this morning Mr Gove has come across as a "very reasonable man", but highlights the tensions between the parliaments and the UK government's future exercise of these powers.

Mr Gove says his view is that he should try to build trust, daily, weekly monthly between the UK and devolved governments.

Even though the power is there it needn't be and hopefully won't be exercised in the way it is feared he adds.

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Labour MSP Alex Rowley asks what Mr Gove's view of people who say there is a "power grab".

Mr Gove insists: "People do talk about the so-called power grab, but I haven't seen anyone enumerate a single power that the UK government wants to exercise which involves wanting to take power back from the Scottish government or the Scottish Parliament.

"Quite the opposite."

Mr Gove does not know a single government minister who wants to take a power away from the Scottish government and insists no-one has identified one.

The Scottish government has confirmed the following new appointments and re-appointments to the ministerial team:

• Public Finance and Digital Economy Minister - Kate Forbes
• Further Education, Higher Education and Science Minister - Gillian Martin
• Mental Health Minister - Clare Haughey
• Trade, Investment and Innovation Minister - Ivan McKee
• Older People and Equalities Minister - Christina McKelvie
• Community Safety - Ash Denham
• Europe, Migration and International Development Minister - Ben Macpherson

• Rural Affairs and Natural Environment - Mairi Gougeon
• Veterans and Parliamentary Business Minister - Graeme Dey
• Local Government, Housing and Planning Minister - Kevin Stewart
• Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing Minister - Joe FitzPatrick
• Children and Young People Minister - Maree Todd
• Energy, Connectivity and Islands Minister - Paul Wheelhouse
• Business, Fair Work and Skills Minister - Jamie Hepburn

Tory MSP Finlay Carson moves on to the replacement of CAP.

Mr Carson asks if the UK funding guarantee covers Pillar 1 and 2 in its entirety.

Does the guarantee cover payments after 2022?

Mr Gove says the funding guarantee does cover Pillar 1 and 2 and extends up to 2022.

Mr Ruskell asks if environmental standards are off the table during the Brexit negotiations.

Mr Gove says environmental standards will be maintained and defended in the course of negotiations and insists this is the view across the UK government.

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Mr Macdonald moves on to the environmental non-legislative frameworks used for example in waste management and air quality.

Mr Gove explains the UK government published an "ambitious aim" to end reliance on the combustion engine.

He points out the Scottish government has a higher ambition in this area.

The minister insists it is in "all our interests" to have effective collaboration.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell asks for clarity on environmental protections.

Mr Gove insists the involvement of the devolved administrations is essential in getting a good trade deal.

He says the tension Mr Ruskell suggests is not there.

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SNP MSP Angus Macdonald explains the Scottish government have launched a consultation this morning on a deposit return scheme (DPR).

Mr Macdonald asks about discussions between the governments on DPR.

Mr Gove agrees there is great concern about plastic waste and the Scottish government was "brave and right" to push for a DPR scheme.

He says the UK government will work with the Scottish government on this issue.

UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove explains that when it comes to the environment over all, all four administrations are roughly in the same position wanting no diminution of efforts on leaving the EU.

Mr Gove explains he hopes to have a waste and resource strategy published in the Autumn and he hopes to learn lessons from Scotland and Wales.

The minister wants a deposit return scheme in place as well and he wishes to work collaboratively with all the administrations to avoid discontinuities at the border between Scotland and England.