SNP Brexit Secretary Michael Russell has told MSPs that the Scottish Government is stepping up preparations for a no-deal Brexit.
Speaking in Holyrood, Russell announced plans to ensure supplies of medicines, and food if the UK crashes out of Europe with no deal.
He also said a public information campaign was in the final stages of development.
"We’re making initial decisions on issues such as medicine, medical devices and clinical consumables stockpiling, emergency transportation, support for supply chains, diversion of local produce and a host of other issues."
Russell told of how the Scottish Government was having talks with Westminster on the "timing and preparations for a potential no-deal outcome".
In addition, the Government's resilience committee is meeting weekly, supported by a "rapid response team of officials which will grow as need requires".
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But the Brexit Secretary urged the Tory government to pledge to avoid a no-deal exit from the European Union "now and forever".
Russell said there were a number of steps that must be taken in the wake of the Commons defeat of Theresa May's withdrawal agreement - adding that "the first part of the plan must be to rule out no deal".
"All of this activity has become a significant focus of our resources and efforts, as it has to be for a responsible government," Russell said. "However, it remains something that the UK could and should choose to remove as a risk, and as a cost, today."
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While he said such actions are part of "responsible" preparations being made by Holyrood ministers, he added the Scottish Government still believes the "best outcome" would be to remain in the European Union.
He said there needs to be a second referendum on EU membership "to break the logjam that has now paralysed politics at Westminster".
Making a statement to MSPs the day after the House of Commons voted against Theresa May's proposed Withdrawal Agreement by a massive majority, Russell said the PM had endured "not just a defeat" but a "rout".
He said: "In a normal political world with normal, accountable, self-aware politicians, the scale of this defeat would have led to the immediate resignation of, if not the government, then at least the leader of that government.
"But instead the Prime Minister behaves as if this is all somebody else's fault."
In the wake of the vote, he added: "There are actions we believe the UK Government should take immediately to stave off complete disaster."
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As well as calling on UK ministers to explicitly rule out a no-deal Brexit, he said they must extend the Article 50 timetable for negotiations, and also legislate for a second EU referendum.
If May does not do this when she returns to the Commons with her "plan B", he suggested a Bill could be brought by a "Parliament controlled by its members".
Russell pledged: "I am ready to make the case for Europe passionately and proudly in a second EU referendum, and to contrast it with the Prime Minister's deal which will only leave this country and its people impoverished.
"In all the chaos and uncertainty there is in Westminster now, there is also an opportunity to shine a light through it, and persuade the country of a better, brighter alternative."
He reminded Holyrood the SNP had won the 2016 Holyrood election on a manifesto which included the possibility of a second Scottish independence referendum if there was a significant material change in circumstances from the 2014 vote.
"We're ready for and indeed would relish a General Election fought on the issue of Brexit and Scotland's future," Russell said.
But if that does not happen he warned the Scottish Government would "immediately step up our support for a second EU referendum".
He added: "The Scottish Government is clear that the best outcome is to remain in the EU, a second referendum with Remain on the ballot paper is an opportunity for that to happen, and for the wishes of the people of Scotland to be respected."
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