Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott says Norwegian trials to filter fish mechanisms out of the water are underway and calls for the trails to be replicated in Scotland

Mr Scott also asks the minister to reject any fish farm feed limit.

Mr Ewing welcomes the trial in Norway and says there are already discussions about a Scottish trial.

Scottish salmon is marketed as healthy, sustainable and environmentally-friendly but is that image accurate?

It was once considered a luxury but now a staggering one million salmon meals are eaten in the UK every day.

The fish is one of the UK's biggest food exports and said to be worth more than £1bn a year to the economy.

In supermarkets, the packaging shows pristine Scottish waters and projects an image of a clean and natural product.

• The BBC Panorama programme - Salmon Farming Exposed

• Salmon farming giant Mowi probed over chemical use
• Sea lice blamed for major fall in salmon tonnage

Green MSP Mark Ruskell says there is a serious concern over large fish farms being given consent by breaking up the application into two.

Mr Ruskell asks for a review of existing farms under the new modelling.

Mr Ewing replies tighter standards will apply in relation to sea lice and reiterates the measures SEPA will be taking.

The minister says he does not think he can acquiesce to Mr Ruskell's request.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant says it is imperative aquaculture regulation is got right.

Ms Grant says the Norwegian system provides the best regulatory regime and she asks why is there a delay in introducing it in Scotland.

Mr Ewing replies: "I don't think it's a fair charge that we are delaying."

The minister says Norway's system differs from Scotland and regulation of sea lice will be improved here now.

Mr Ewing very much appreciates the support from Mr Chapman on this issue.

He says the uncertainties around Brexit affect the timetable for the forthcoming sea lice legislation.

It is not possible to be categoric at this time, adds Mr Ewing, but he expects it to come into force in 2020.

The minister says the government wishes to see all practical support extended to fish farms to help implement the new regulatory regime.

Tory MSP Peter Chapman begins: "Let me be quite clear, I welcome this statement."

The Tory MSP also welcomes progress made in tackling sea lice, and the announcement of legislation.

He asks for more details about when the sea lice reports will be published.

Mr Chapman also asks what support will be made available to smaller fish farms.

Image source, Getty Images

Mr Ewing says the sea lice levels in 2018 are the lowest since records began in 2013.

The improvements have been supported by £13m of Scottish government and EU funding, the rural economy secretary explains.

He goes on to say tougher regulations will ensure fish farms are in the most appropriate areas.

The main salmon farmer in Scottish waters has reported a sharp fall in the tonnage produced last year, much of that due to the problems with sea lice.

Mowi's annual report reveals the amount of gutted salmon it produced from Scottish waters fell by 36%.

Mr Ewing says high health and welfare standards must be maintained to support the sector.

Mr Ewing tells the chamber that the government will introduce legislation to ensure all marine fish farms report on sea lice levels one week in arrears.

The rural economy secretary explains this will allow issues to be dealt with as they arise, with publication of the sea lice reports as soon as they are ready.

He says fish farms will now be expected to report much lower sea lice levels under the new statutory reporting regime.

The minister says these timescales are very short, and these measures signal a major shift to statutory regulation.

Image source, SAM BILLINGTON, ENVIRONMENT AGENCY/BBC

Aquaculture is an increasingly important industry for Scotland, helping to sustain economic growth in the rural and coastal communities of the north and west.

Involving the farming or culturing of fish, molluscs, crustaceans and seaweed, aquaculture produces our most valuable food export.

The Scottish aquaculture industry is led by Atlantic salmon farming, but also produces significant quantities of Rainbow trout and mussels.

The Scottish government supports the Aquaculture Industry Leadership Group, external as it seeks to deliver the industry’s growth strategy, external by 2030. The strategy aims to:

• double the economic contribution of the sector from £1.8 billion in 2016, to £3.6 billion by 2030
• double the number of jobs to 18,000 by 2030

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing agrees the status quo for the regulatory system for aquaculture is not an option.

Mr Ewing is extremely concerned about the decline in the wild salmon population in the Atlantic.

Aquaculture is a pressure through sea lice, which is why the Salmon Interaction Working group was established, he explains.

It's aided by a technical working group informed by regulatory regimes from elsewhere, including Norway, he adds.

He says the government is serious about delivering a broad raft of reform.

Image source, David Ainsley

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing will now give a statement on the aquaculture sector.

Image source, bbc

Here's what's on in the chamber this afternoon..............

• 1.30pm Ministerial Statement: Progress on Delivering a Sustainable Aquaculture Sector
• 2pm Portfolio questions: Finance and environment
• 2.40pm Stage 3 proceedings: South of Scotland Enterprise Bill
• 5pm Child Safety Week member's debate

SNP MSP Angela Constance says if it hadn't been for Brexit, would you have been revising the outlook for the economy up.

She asks what would the forecast for economic growth have been for Scotland.

Prof Smith replies that's an alternative that the SFC do not produce.

Brexit is one of the factors for the revision down, but is by no means the only one, adds the SFC rep.

He says Brexit will have a negative effect on investment and growth and some reductions in migration are built into the forecasts at an appropriate level, but not for no deal.