Health Secretary Jeane Freeman praises the bravery of the women who have come forward to share their problems following vaginal mesh surgery.

Ms Freeman says progress has been made on restricting to use of mesh as far as possible using the powers held by the Scottish parliament.

There has been a substantial reduction in vaginal mesh surgery since the recommendation made by the chief medical officer, she states.

The health secretary highlights Healthcare Improvement Scotland has established a group to oversee any continued use of the treatment.

Image source, bbc

The use of mesh implants by the NHS in Scotland should be completely banned, MSPs have said.

The Scottish government called for the use of mesh implants to be suspended four years ago while an independent safety review was carried out.

But about 500 women have had the controversial procedure in Scotland since then.

A report by Holyrood's public petitions committee has urged minsters to take stronger action.

And it said the committee had "serious concerns" about the credibility of the safety review, which laid out strict criteria for use of the procedure but did not recommend an outright ban.

Prof Alison Britton is currently carrying out a review of the review, and is due to report later this year.

• What's the issue with mesh implants?
• Read more here

Image source, bbc

Health Secretary Jeanne Freeman wll now deliver a statement on transvaginal mesh.

Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon says funding has been provided to the Scottish Grocer's Federation to help local retailers respond to demand, with a focus on fresh and healthy produce.

Mr Torrance says hard Brexit is a real concern to small retailers, a point which Ms Gougeon supports.

She points to research estimating food prices could rise by up to 22%.

Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald highlights local government plays a role on promoting healthy options.

The minister agrees initiatives led by councils are welcome.

SNP MSP David Torrance asks the Scottish government what it is doing to help small food retailers and convenience stores to provide healthy food options to local communities.

Mr Ewing insists it is "extremely alarming the EU has said this has not been resolved" and insists the reciprocal recognition of GIs should have been resolved already.

He says he is meeting Mr Gove next Monday and will raise the issue of protected foods.

Protected Geographical Indication status for Stornoway black pudding, Scotch whisky and forfar bridies comes from the EU's Protected Foods Name Scheme, external and there are fears from some farmers this could be forgotten about in the post-EU political upheaval.

Under EU law there are several ways to protect the heritage of famous foods made traditionally or tied to particular locations.

Image source, Linuxcentre/JamesMcLaren&Son/BBC/ScottishSalmonCompany

Here's some of Scotland's Protected Designation of Origin food and drinks:

• Arboath Smokies
• Dundee cake
• Forfar Bridies
• Stornoway black pudding
• Scottish wild salmon
• Scotch lamb

SNP MSP Linda Fabiani asks what discussions the Scottish government has had with the UK government regarding maintaining Scotland’s protected food names and geographical indications following Brexit.

Labour MSP Colin Smyth asks when the long term support for agriculture post-Brexit will be published.

Mr Ewing replies he will report back to parliament in "due course" and insists he hopes to do this "sooner rather than later".

He points out the National Audit Office has highlighed how a no-deal could cause "mayhem".

The minister concludes: "We are hoping Brexit bourach can be sorted out sooner rather than later".

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing says he meet with the UK government on 5 July, alongside his counterparts from Wales.

Ms Mackay pivots to the Agriculture Bill, asking what input he has had in it.

Mr Ewing says he has repeatedly asked for discussion on the bill but there has been "zero discussion" on the content, but only the timetable.

There has been discussion at official level, but we did not see a full version of the bill until shortly before publication, he tells the chamber.

He also argues Defra is claiming certain areas are reserved when they are not.

The UK is due to leave the EU on 29 March next year - with the UK government insisting it's still confident of negotiating a deal on the divorce terms.

But with fundamental differences remaining between the two sides as talks enter the crucial phase, recent weeks have seen an increasing focus on the possibility of no agreement being reached.

We asked experts working in the front line of Scotland's tourism, food and medical sectors some key questions about what they think a no-deal Brexit might really look like.

Image source, Getty Images

This one was given an unequivocal "no" by David Thomson, the chief executive of the Scottish Food and Drink Federation, who assured shoppers that their local supermarket shelves wouldn't lie empty after a no-deal Brexit.

However, he said customers could see shortages of some specific products, at least for a short period of time - similar to what happened during the extreme winter weather that hit the country at the start of this year.

Changes to customs arrangements at ports such as Dover could mean delays to deliveries of fresh fruit, vegetables and dairy products from abroad, for example.

This could include tomatoes, cheese and chocolate.

Mr Thomson said delays to deliveries of goods from the EU would have a knock-on effect for products from other parts of the world too, which would also be left waiting in "massive queues" to get through customs.

He said food prices would go up by an average of 13% if failure to secure a deal with the EU saw the UK adopting World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules instead - with non-food goods going up by about 3%.

But WTO tariffs mean some fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products would more than double in price, he said, making some unprofitable for shops to stock.

SNP MSP Rona Mackay asks the Scottish government when it last met the UK government to discuss the impact of Brexit on farming and food production in Scotland.

Image source, bbc

Mr Fraser says the cabinet secretary will be aware of the dismay that the new entrant scheme has closed two years early.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing points out there is no such programme in England and insists the Scottish government still supports new entrants in a number of ways.

Mr Ewing says he hopes all parties will wish to do more on this post-Brexit and says there is not commitment to funding on this issue in the new Agriculture Bill.

The Agriculture Bill which will be introduced in Parliament later, includes plans to make cash available for farmers who invest in new technologies and boosting productivity.

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser asks the Scottish government what steps it is taking to encourage a new generation of farmers into the agricultural industry.

Image source, Getty Images

We now move to questions on the rural economy..............................