The committee agrees the Scottish government should consent to the Environment (Legislative Functions from Directives) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

The committee also agreed to recommend consenting to the REACH etc (Amendment etc) (EU Exit) (No. 2) Regulations 2019, external after a vote. Mr Ruskell argues it is not fit for purpose.

The convener and SNP MSP Angus Macdonald abstain from the vote, Mr Ruskell votes against it but the rest of the committee back it.

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Ms Cunningham tells the committee she believes continued participation with the European Environment Agency is absolutely vital for Scotland.

It is an absolute given the UK should ensure it is a third party state within the European Environment Agency adds the environment minister.

She says she has asked the UK government to ensure this or at least ensure Scotland does.

The European Environment Agency provides independent information on the environment for those involved in developing, adopting, implementing and evaluating environmental policy, and also the general public.

In close collaboration with the European Environmental Information and Observation Network (Eionet), external and its 33 member countries, the EEA gathers data and produces assessments on a wide range of topics related to the environment. Learn more, external.

Image source, EEA

SNP MSP Angus Macdonald seeks an update on Horizon and the loss of funding.

Ms Cunningham says there continues to be an active conversation with the UK government on this to keep its commitment to replace EU funding.

As yet we've had no certainty around that, she explains.

Mr Russell explains the UK government has undertaken a value for money exercise on various EU programmes, with membership of the Horizon programme expected to be continued.

However the exercise did not believe Erasmus+ delivered value for money, a conclusion we completely disagree with he adds.

Claudia Beamish asks about the possibility of the Scottish government bringing forward an independent environmental watchdog in Scotland.

"At this point we are not preparing for any such thing," replies the environment secretary.

The Office of Environmental Protection is meant to replace the European Court of Justice and there is a consultation ongoing, replies Ms Cunningham.

Brexit Secretary Mike Russell explains the government is looking into what bits of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Legal Continuity) (Scotland) Bill can be brought back.

He confirms the Scottish government will consult on this, including around the environmental principle aspects.

Labour MSP Claudia Beamish asks about work to get up a complementary body to the Office for Environmental Protection.

Roseanna Cunningham says neither Wales nor Scotland are having discussions about participation in that body.

I'm not convinced that the OEP is going to work out quite as well as Michael Gove has thought, she adds.

Where does Brexit leave the UK countryside? Tom Heap hosts a studio debate.

On the panel

• Shaun Spiers from the Green Alliance
• Heather Hancock, director of Rural Solutions
• Patrick Holden, founding director of the Sustainable Food Trust

Listen to the programme here.

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Green MSP Mark Ruskell says there is a potential for increased animal testing post-Brexit and 12 MPs have written to the UK government asking them to rule this out.

Ms Cunningham replies: "In truth that's the first time I've heard of that."

It is one of the problems that things surface informally and unofficially, she adds.

Don McGillivray says the Scottish government would be very concerned it there was unrequired animal testing.

This is symptomatic about what is surfacing all over the place with the unknown unknowns beginning to be be known adds Ms Cunningham.

Ms Cunningham explains that some aspects of no-deal preparations will still be relevant in some deal scenarios, so it will not be wasted time.

SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson asks about support for small and medium sized enterprises.

The environment secretary points to a website hosted by Scottish Enterprise for advice and self-assessment toolkits.

Tory MSP John Scott seeks an update on UK legislation which impacts devolved policy areas.

Ms Cunningham says there are no timetables for the agriculture, fisheries or environment bills so we have no idea what is happening there.

We will press ahead with the things that we consider need to be done on the timescale we think we need to do them though, she adds.

"We're not planning on slowing anything up unless there is no alternative for us."

Ms Cunningham expresses concerns that temporary Brexit measures could slip into permanency.

The environment secretary says there is the opportunity for detailed consideration of SI (statutory instrument) solutions here at Holyrood by this committee.

Mr Russell adds that Scottish ministers won't approve ad hoc temporary arrangements in phase four and in phase five will be post-implementation after a transition period.

"Who knows how long that will be," he adds.

Ms Cunningham says there are still ministerial discussions going on about the emissions trading scheme.

On the basis of a no deal Brexit, a carbon tax would be brought in but we must ensure this is only an interim response, she tells the committee.

The environment secretary expresses concern that once a carbon tax is brought in, the UK government would not want to undo it.

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Ms Cunningham says: "The UK government are sticking to an orthodoxy that trade deals are a reserved matter."

The environment secretary adds a trade agreement which might have profound implications for devolution is effectively being treated as if it doesn't involve the devolved administrations.

She says at the moment it is Wales and Scotland but if the administration in Northern Ireland is reinstated it will be in the same position.

"At the moment I guess there really isn't an answer."

Convener Gillian Martin asks about the relationship between the UK and Scottish governments regarding future trade deals.

We have to change the approach to trade deals because, for agriculture in particular, there will be a strong push to diminish standards replies Mr Russell.

There is a real fear that the UK will not be equipped or experienced enough to undertake negotiations well he adds.

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Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham says the difficulty is the Metropolitan mindset permeates the London based ENGOs (environmental non-governmental organizations) who are unaware of devolution.

Ms Cunningham warns against having just a UK governance of the environment post-Brexit.