Image source, University of St Andrews

Two of Scotland's biggest salmon producers say they have made a breakthrough in the rearing of so-called cleaner-fish to tackle sea lice.

Until now, most of the wrasse used in salmon cages have been taken from the wild, which has caused huge concern among environmental groups.

But researchers say they have been able to "complete the life cycle" by rearing their first brooding stock.

They hope to become self-sufficient in the fish within the next three years.

Read more here.

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Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee , externalconvener Edward Mountain says the inquiry was prompted by a public petition, but it was clear the problem went beyond this.

Mr Mountain points out the committee acknowledges the economic and social value that the salmon farming industry brings to Scotland.

However it does not believe negative impacts on the environment should be allowed, he says.

The industry wants to expand but until it can provide proove it is a good neighbour, it should not be allowed to do so, adds the convener.

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A wide-ranging inquiry into Scottish salmon farming has found "insufficient evidence" to support calls for a moratorium on the industry's expansion.

Concerns had been raised about the impact of the sector on wild salmon populations and the wider environment.

Holyrood's rural economy committee said "light touch" regulation had failed.

Its report, external said the status quo was "not acceptable" and made 65 recommendations for improvement - but stopped short of backing an overall moratorium.

The industry said it was already taking action to address some of the concerns which have been raised.

Read more here.

The rural economy committee is leading a debate following its inquiry into salmon farming.

Click here to view the report, external, published in November.

The committee made 65 recommendations on improving regulations on the sector, but concluded there was "insufficient evidence" to support calls for a moratorium on expansion.

However, Labour MSP Colin Smyth and Green MSP John Finnie dissented from this view.

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Education Secretary John Swinney says it is not possible to accurately confirm the number of school pupils who have taken their own life.

Ms Lennon says there have been incidents of pupils who have died by suicide in her region.

Mr Swinney says the programme for government and the Suicide Prevention Action Plan set out the measures taken on this issue.

He assures Moncia Lennon that this issue is taken very seriously in government.

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The Scottish government has set a target of reducing the country's suicide rate by 20% by 2022.

Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey announced the target alongside a new suicide prevention action plan last August.

Suicide prevention charity Samaritans had claimed the Scottish government was not taking the issue seriously enough.

Ms Haughey insisted Scotland has "made real progress in reducing deaths by suicide", but said there was "far more to do" to tackle the issue.

Read more.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon asks how many school pupils have died by suicide in the last five years and what action has been taken in response to this.

Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead welcomes the statistics, saying it demonstrates progress on access.

Mr Stevenson highlights an 8% rise in students from the 20% most deprived communities.

Mr Lochhead praises the universities which have delivered this progress and points to the long-term target to have 20% of all students coming from deprived backgrounds.

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The University of Aberdeen has vowed to double the number of full-time Scottish degree students it recruits from disadvantaged areas.

The university wants 10% of its intake of Scottish students to be from areas the included in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD20) from September next year.

In recent years the figure has been between 4% and 5%.

Principal Prof George Boyne said the university had to be "open to all".

Read more.

SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson asks about the record number of students from deprived areas enrolling at university in Scotland, according to recent statistics.

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Further Education Minister Richard Lochhead replies the budget for college capital will continue to provide funding for maintenance of the estate and for the college campus in Falkirk.

Ms Fee says the Scottish Funding Council have said £360m is needed to maintain Scotland's colleges.

Mr Lochhead accepts there is huge pressure on the capital budget, but he calls for more UK funding.

There is budget of £47.6m for the net college capital he explains.

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According to a table in the budget for 2019-20, college capital expenditure for the next financial year will total £49.6m.

This is down from £78.7m in 2018-19.

Net college capital (after tacking receipts into account) will be £47.6m - this is down from £78.8m in 2018-19, but broadly similar to 2017-18 levels.

The Scottish government pledged to work with the Scottish Funding Council to support the college sector in maintaining the college estate in its budget.

This includes £22.7m to complete the construction of Forth Valley College’s new campus in Falkirk.

Labour MSP Mary Fee asks about the impact of the college capital spending plans in the draft budget.

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Click here to view the full list of questions., external

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Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott says on Monday the UK government published guidance on importing and exporting fish in the event of a no deal, including six separate forms, an "ocean of red-tape".

Mr Russell replies he hopes that the Tories will account for themselves to the fishing communities, for consistently telling them things that were untrue.

The Scottish Resilience Partnership (SRP) , externalacts as a strategic policy forum for resilience issues, providing collective assurance to Ministers that statutory responders and key resilience partners are aware of significant resilience gaps and priorities, and are addressing these in line with appropriate and available resources.

It also provides advice to the resilience community on how best to ensure that Scotland is prepared to respond effectively to major emergencies.

A core group of the most senior statutory responders and key resilience partners form the SRP.

Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie says the Scottish government's website mentions the possibility about a risk of access to medicines.

When will information be available about what citizens should do if faced with these situations, he asks.

Mr Harvie also asks about the passage of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill at the UK Parliament.

We haven't seen the bill, Mr Russell replies.

I do not believe the UK government can complete the primary and secondary legislation programme needed between now and 29 March, he adds.

On medicines, he confirms Health Secretary Jeane Freeman is working on this and there will be a role for GPs and other healthcare professionals to speak to their patients.

Mr Russell agrees communication is the key, particularly for businesses.

In addition to the website, external there is targeted work being done and planning for a press campaign, he adds.

The Brexit secretary calls for businesses to pass on the information about the mygov.scot website and adds all businesses have a responsibility to do so.

Labour MSP Neil Findlay says as Brexit approaches, the anxiety of businesses, industry and workers grows.

We've all tried our best to speak sense to the prime minister but she's engaged in a 40-year civil war within her party, he says.

It is inconceivable that the UK government will march off the Brexit cliff, Mr Findlay says, and reiterates his backing for an extension of Article 50.

Can the cabinet secretary advise how businesses and community can find out about future developments, he asks.