Mr McKee says the life science sector creates high-skilled, high-value roles, and having skilled individuals is a key motivator for where firms locate.

Tory MSP Dean Lockhart suggests have a higher tax rate may discourage workers from coming to Scotland.

The minister refutes this, saying Scotland has a fair tax regime.

Life sciences have a huge role to play in increasing exports, Mr McKee states and he points to efforts to encourage firms to take advantage of international opportunities.

Scotland's NHS is a key partner for the sector he tells the chamber, and he says he will work alongside colleagues to ensure patient needs are met.

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Trade, Investment and Innovation Minister Ivan McKee cites the Scottish government's Life Sciences strategy.

Mr McKee says several hundred life science companies employ almost 40,000 people in Scotland.

"This is a sector with real growth opportunities."

The minister adds that the sector has the capacity to benefit millions of people and save lives.

The Scottish government is leading a debate on the life sciences sector.

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Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles calls for a ban on the third party sale of dogs and of dogs under eight weeks.

The minister says she is currently considering issues around third party sale of dogs, but suggests this is not as big an issue in Scotland as the rest of the UK.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell says there is much to welcome in this statement and says it is clear the government has listened to the Greens.

However, he suggests there are gaps in the statement - particularly around farm welfare codes, greyhound and horse racing regulation, and a new definition for animal sentience.

Ms Gougeon agrees there have been a large number of issues to tackle on this.

She offers to work with anyone in the chamber on proposals to include in the forthcoming legislation.

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Ms Gougeon says she realises how important an issue fox hunting is and that is why she wants to act as soon as possible.

"This is a priority for me."

The rural affairs minister explains she is concerned with the welfare of the hunted species and argues that licensing will allow loopholes in the legislation to be closed.

The two dog limit in England and Wales has led to a growth in trail hunting and that is why licensing will be allowed where there ares issues of pest control.

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Labour MSP Colin Smyth says it is obvious there are still loopholes that allow fox hunting and welcomes the minister's announcement as a welcome step forward.

However Mr Smyth points out "you cannot licence cruelty" and says he is concerned about any proposal to introduce a licence scheme allowing more than two dogs to be used in fox hunting.

He says it is time for the government to "get on with consigning the barbaric practice of fox hunting to the history books".

2018 must be the last year we see a Boxing Day Hunt, concludes Mr Smyth.

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Tory MSP Maurice Golden says his party are committed to the highest standards of animal welfare and welcomes this statement.

Mr Golden calls for the minister to commit to an implementation plan for her proposals by Easter.

The minister stresses that she is keen to work with opposition parties on animal welfare.

Ms Gougeon says she hopes to implement a number of the measures she outlined this year.

She says she cannot give a firm timescale due to Brexit.

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Last February celebrities joined the call for a total ban on fox hunting in Scotland.

Comedian Ricky Gervais, television presenter and naturalist Chris Packham, conservationist Bill Oddie and actor Peter Egan all want to see exemptions on the practice outlawed.

Fox hunting is banned in Scotland, but dogs are still allowed to flush out foxes for pest control.

Three charities have organised a march next month in Edinburgh to highlight the issue.

Image source, JIMFENG

Turning to fox hunting, Ms Gougeon says it is clear there is considerable public concern about the operation of the legislation in Scotland.

Parliament should be given the opportunity to reform the Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002, she says, and confirms a bill will be brought forward during the course of the current parliament.

This will include a limit to the number of dogs to two, she adds.

However,the government will also look at introducing a licensing scheme for using more than two dogs when it is deemed necessary.

The rural affairs minister says there is too high a risk in trail hunting and the bill will explore discouragement of this.

Recommendations made by Lord Bonomy which do not require primary legislation will also be brought forward, she says.

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The Scottish government has launched a campaign highlighting the pitfalls of buying illegally bred puppies.

Buy a Puppy Safely will focus on raising awareness of the tactics used by illegal breeders to deceive buyers.

One in four of puppies bought online die before their fifth birthday, and one in three get sick or die in the first year.

The puppy trade in Scotland is estimated at £13m per year - a large proportion of these are illegally bred.

Read more here.

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Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon moves on to illegally sourced puppies.

Ms Gougeon says data on the government campaign will be made available shortly.

She says there will be a follow up campaign this year.

The minister pivots to animal licensing and says the response to the dog, cat and rabbit breeding consultation will be published soon.

Image source, PA

Abattoirs will need to install CCTV cameras in all areas where there are live animals under new laws to be introduced by the Scottish government.

The move is aimed at ensuring there are the "highest standards of animal welfare" in all abattoirs, the government said.

It has pledged to bring forward legislation later in the year.

The move comes after the vast majority of people who responded to a consultation backed the measure.

Read more here.

Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon says the Scottish government is committed to improving animal welfare, pointing to annual investment of £20m.

Work is underway to establish an animal welfare commission she confirms, and she adds a new bill will seek to amend the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.

She insists it is crucial that local authorities can use the powers given to them by the Act, which is what the amendments will seek to do.

Ms Gougeon highlights high levels of support for mandatory CCTV in abattoirs and confirms legislation for this will be brought forward.

Image source, Getty Images

Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon will make a statement on improving animal welfare.

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay says predictions suggest a loss of 8.5% GDP by 2030.

Ms White highlights the number of jobs which may be at risk.

The route being pursued by the Conservatives is "appalling" and will have a material impact on the economy, says Mr Mackay, and he urges the UK government to reconsider.

Image source, PA

MPs have a "duty" to come up with an alternative to Theresa May's Brexit deal, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.

The prime minister is battling to win backing for her withdrawal plan ahead of a key vote in the Commons next week.

Ms Sturgeon said MPs have "a duty to decide what they want to do instead" to avoid leaving the EU without a deal.

She called for Labour to "come off the fence" and join other opposition groups in backing a new referendum on Brexit.

Read more.