A ban on exporting live animals has the potential to damage farming in the Western Isles, Shetland and Orkney, according to the Scottish Rural Economy Secretary.

Fergus Ewing warned that such plans would cause "substantial harm" to Scotland's livestock sector.

He made clear that while the UK Government was ready to ban all live exports of farm animals, Holyrood would not be backing the scheme.

And he stressed the Scottish Government remained committed to the "current rigorous standards" on animal welfare.

Mr Ewing said: "The UK Government appear to be ready to ban all live exports of livestock.

"So let me be absolutely clear, this is one UK-wide framework the Scottish Government will not be participating in. I will not support anything that creates further challenges or difficulty for our farming sector or puts Scottish agriculture at a disadvantage.

"Any such move, would potentially do substantial harm to our quality livestock sector, not least farming in the Western Isles, Shetland and Orkney, as well as trade with Northern Ireland."

A UK Government spokeswoman said it had a "clear manifesto commitment" to bring in controls on the export of live farm animals for slaughter, with ministers "considering all options".