Tory MSP Donald Cameron says he had hoped this statement would reveal some detail on future support for agriculture and criticises the cabinet secretary for failing to do so.

Establishing a taskforce will only mean further delay, he argues.

The real lack of clarity lies with the Scottish government, not the UK government Mr Cameron insists.

While welcoming progress made on payments, the Tory MSP asks when legislation will be brought forward on the future of farm payments.

Mr Ewing says he does not accept the premise of Mr Cameron's questions and points to a five-year plan produced by the Scottish government, insisting this is the most detailed in the UK.

He says the current UK Agriculture Bill impinges upon devolved powers, describing this as "completely unacceptable".

Mr Ewing undertakes to bring forward a motion to allow debate and hopefully agreement on the principles of Scotland's farming future.

The cabinet secretary says this year the government has focused on improving CAP payments.

He adds that by the end of this year most farmers will have received their 2017 CAP payments and indeed their 2018 payments.

Image source, Getty Images

Anyone considering activity to protect the environment should start preparing their funding application now, Mr Ewing states.

It is still unclear on what basis funding payments will be made from the UK government, he argues, and he insists the current per hectare method cannot continue.

"Scottish farmers have been short-changed to the tune of £160m."

If these payment rates are used, Scottish farmers will continue to lose out beyond Brexit Mr Ewing adds.

He criticises the delay in the distribution review announced by the UK government previously.

The cabinet secretary confirms a taskforce will look into how payments should work moving forward.

We must also start to shape a longer-term approach to future agriculture payments, he adds.

Kevin Keane
BBC Scotland News

Image source, Getty Images

A long-anticipated review into how EU farm subsidies are distributed between Scotland and the rest of the UK has been delayed.

EU Convergence Uplift payments of £190m were triggered because of the low rate paid to hill farmers in Scotland.

But the money was shared out by the Treasury across the UK farming sector.

The terms of a review of the payments had been agreed but UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove said it had been held up by the Treasury.

Scotland's Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said the delay was "completely unacceptable".

Read more.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing says over 89% of full LFASS payments have been processed.

The Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) provides essential income support to farming businesses in remote and constrained rural areas.

Mr Ewing explains one thing the government had not planned for was the adverse weather but he says the government has moved fast to provide loan support for farmers.

The minister highlights pressures on winter fodder and tells the chamber he has asked the EU for flexibility on the 2017 Greening Rules.

He announces the Environment Climate Scheme will provide £140m for land managers to deliver environmental action.

Image source, bbc

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing highlights a commitment to ensure farmers continue to get the same level of funding they currently receive through CAP until 2022.

88.6% of SAF applications are now being made online and this helps to make payments more efficiently, he says.

We have completed 99% of basic payments, greening and young farmer payments, and 97% of beef and upland sheep payments he states.

All pillar 2 payments for 2017 have also started to be made, he adds.

Image source, Getty Images

The newly published UK Agriculture Bill is a "missed opportunity" which "rides roughshod over the devolved settlement" the Scottish government has said.

UK Environment Secretary Michael Gove said the bill - published two weeks ago - would deliver a "green Brexit" and a "smooth and gradual transition".

But Scottish Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said the bill does not deliver on promises made to farmers.

The agriculture bill sets out how the farming sector will move away from the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the years after the UK leaves in 2019.

Read more.

Image source, Reuters

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing is to make a statement on the Common Agricultural Policy.

Image source, Anne Simpson

Visitor numbers to Scotland were up by 17% during last year while spending rose by almost a quarter, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The weakened pound since the Brexit vote in 2016 helped boost numbers, particularly for holidays.

Overseas vacationers in Scotland increased by 27%, and their spending rose nearly a fifth.

The figures are published amid ongoing debate about the impact of tourism at popular destinations such as the Isle of Skye.

Read more.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant seeks information on support for tourism on Skye.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald asks whether analysis has been carried out of the potential for developing steam train tourism on the east coast.

Ms Baillie expresses concern that charges for car parking may limit access to the outdoors.

The cabinet secretary says local authorities must take a holistic approach to decisions, saying the Scottish government will not provide support if local authority decisions run counter to the reasons for this.

Image source, Reuters

Plans have been submitted for a new car park in Glenfinnan for tourists who visit to see a location from the Harry Potter films.

Thousands of visitors arrive to see the Glenfinnan Viaduct and a steam train that operates on its railway line. Both feature in the movies.

Glenfinnan Community Council said a lack of parking had also become a health and safety issue.

It said vehicles were currently using verges along the A830 for parking.

Read more.

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie questions action taken to improve visitor experience by working with local authorities to enhance facilities such as car parking.

Tory MSP John Scott asks about plans for the funding of arts and culture to the south of the central belt.

Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop says she met with the STA earlier in September focusing on sustainable tourism growth.

Ms Beamish urges the Scottish government to introduce the tourism tax, pointing to Edinburgh City Council publishing details of its proposal.

Ms Hyslop says the plans will have a national impact and, with reference to other cities in Europe that have such a tax, arguing they do not have a 20% VAT rate unlike Scotland.

We are not in favour of introducing a visitor levy unless the tourism industry is involved from the outset, she adds.

Labour MSP Claudia Beamish asks when the Scottish government last met with the Scottish Tourism Alliance and what was discussed.

Image source, bbc

Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop says she is committed to working with local authorities to improve the situation around short-term lets.

Mr Mason replies short-term lets are essential to boost the economy of Aberdeen.

Green MSP Andy Wightman asks if the minister recognises the pressure caused by short-term lets.

Ms Hyslop insists the government has made considerable strides in building housing.

She points to the short-term lets group set up by the government.

Tory MSP Tom Mason seeks an assessment of the impact of short-term lets on tourism levels in Aberdeen and other local authority areas.