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My officials last met with our Scottish Discards Steering Group on 24 June 2016 to discuss the discard ban, including the continued phased implementation of the ban in 2017. Further discussions on phasing will take place with the fishing industry when developing discard plans for 2018 which will be taken forward by Member States as part of the Regionalisation process.

I have met with a range of representatives from the fishing industry over the summer, including as part of the Fisheries Innovation Scotland conference on 22-23 August 2016 during which the implementation of the discard ban was discussed.

Marine Scotland and Caledonian MacBrayne perform different functions, and operate under different terms and conditions. This means that rates of pay are not directly comparable. Different arrangements for pensions, levels of leave and National Insurance also make direct comparisons difficult.

The pay rates and scales for Marine Scotland and Caledonian MacBrayne seafarers are show in the following tables. These do not show any allowances that might also be paid.

The Scottish Government proactively review mapping information utilising Aerial Photography, information from Ordinance Survey and data gathered from land inspections as part of the claim validation process. In addition claimants of CAP funding have for a number of years been encouraged to review their land maps and ensure that they are up to date and accurate.

Guidance is available from the Rural Payments and Inspections Division detailing the mapping rules, online facilities are available for farmers to view their maps to ensure their accuracy and we proactively encourage claimants to engage with their local Rural Payments and Inspections offices who are able to provide assistance and guidance in maintaining their mapping information.

The Scottish Government is committed to taking steps to encourage new entrants into the fishing industry. The Government expects to make an announcement about its quota allocation policy in the coming months, which will include new steps to pursue this objective.

The Scottish Government is committed to taking steps to ensure that Scottish fish quota is held only by persons that have an contemporary and positive link to the fishing industry, whether directly or as part of a wider structure of support. The Government expects to make an announcement about its quota allocation policy, in the coming months, which will include new steps to pursue this objective.

Since April 2016 Marine Scotland vessels have sailed with less than the full complement of mariners on three occasions.

8 May 2016 - Cook/Steward absent

30 May2016 - Seaman absent

18 July 2016 - Seaman absent.

In addition, over that same period, there were nine occasions when mariners had to be put ashore during trips for reasons of illness or domestic issues requiring a vessel to operate for a period with less than its full complement of crew. Where possible and practical absent crew are replaced by other suitably qualified mariners.

Marine Scotland vessels, like all UK registered vessels, are operated under the supervision of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). One part of their certifications is a "Safe manning" certificate which lays down the minimum crewing to allow the vessel to navigate safely at sea. As Marine Scotland vessels have specific tasks whilst at sea they generally operate with a higher level of staffing.

Whilst short term crew absences may temporally affect operational capability the vessels are never at sea with less than the staff numbers and grades specified in their respective Safe Manning Certificates.

The announcement by the HM Treasury does apply to Scotland, and includes all CAP Pillar two schemes under Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP). However, it fails to provide comprehensive, long-term guarantees for any SRDP commitments after the UK Government’s autumn statement.

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution Derek Mackay and I have written to our UK Government counterparts seeking urgent discussions on these matters.

The recent announcement from HM Treasury provides some reassurance, particularly in relation to the continuation of common agricultural policy (CAP) Pillar 1 funding until the end of the Multiannual Financial Framework in 2020.However, it fails to provide comprehensive, long-term guarantees for any CAP Pillar 2 commitments under the Scottish Rural Development Programme arising after the UK Government’s autumn statement.The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Constitution, Derek Mackay, and I have written to our UK Government counterparts seeking urgent discussions on these matters.

I am engaging in discussions with key stakeholders to emphasise that we are still firmly in the EU and EU funded investment in Scotland continues, and I will be seeking clarity from UK Government on the funding of EU projects following a UK exit from the EU.

The Scottish Government’s priority, following a strong, unequivocal Scottish vote to remain in the EU is to protect Scotland’s interests and we are intent on pursuing all options to protect Scotland’s relationship with the EU, and seeking to negotiate the best way forward for our farmers, crofters, land managers and for Scotland. European funding, such as the Scottish Rural Development Programme funding will clearly be a key part of those negotiations.

The approach to the greening element of the common agricultural policy(CAP) in Scotland is a matter for Scottish Ministers.

The European Commission has recently published proposals for simplifying the greening measures, and we are currently engaging with key stakeholders to discuss these proposals and to consider if any changes should be made to the greening measures in Scotland.

Scotland remains part of the EU and is required to comply with the greening rules set out in the CAP regulations.