Mark Ruskell

Mid Scotland and Fife

Climate, Energy, Environment, Food & Farming

Mark Ruskell was re-elected as an MSP in May 2016, having served Mid Scotland and Fife between 2003 and 2007, during which time he served on the environment committee, introduced legislative proposals on climate targets and GM crops. In this session he is a member of the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform committee. He has been a councillor on Stirling Council since 2012. Outside of politics Mark has managed community development projects, worked in the renewables sector and for conservation bodies in Scotland. He lives near Doune with his young family.

Marine Scotland willing to look the other way on Acoustic Deterrents say Greens

Thu 11 Mar, 2021

The Scottish Greens have accused Marine Scotland of “looking the other way” when it comes to the use of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) at fish farms.

Scottish Greens environment spokesperson Mark Ruskell yesterday challenged Natural Environment Minister Ben McPherson to commit to taking legal action against fish farms which continue to use ADDs without a license.

ADDs have been shown to cause serious injury and lasting damage seals as well interfering with the echo location of other marine mammals such as whales and dolphins.

Greens: Elimination will require more to test and isolate

Wed 10 Mar, 2021

Scotland must do more to step up testing and support people to self-isolate if we are to eliminate COVID-19, the Scottish Greens have warned.

At Holyrood’s COVID committee, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said her objective was to “eliminate” COVID-19 in Scotland.

Greens call out lack of urgency on Mossmorran transition

Tue 9 Mar, 2021

The Scottish Greens have criticised the Scottish Government for failing to commit to a just transition plan for Mossmorran, despite the First Minister agreeing to ‘look at all options’ for the aging fossil fuel plant last year.

The criticism comes as the Scottish Parliament debates the Government’s climate change plan, with the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee saying major action and transformational change across all sectors is now urgently required to address the climate emergency.

Workplace protections must be improved while vaccines rolled out

Fri 26 Feb, 2021

Responding to the decision of the JCVI to continue to prioritise the rollout of vaccines through age cohorts, Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell, a member of Holyrood’s COVID-19 Committee, said:

Hydrogen 'no silver bullet', warn Scottish Greens

Thu 11 Feb, 2021

Scottish Government plans for a ‘hydrogen economy’ shows an over reliance on the fossil fuel sector and technologies that haven’t been developed yet to provide an emergency response to the climate crisis, the Scottish Greens have warned.

In a statement to MSPs, Energy minister Paul Wheelhouse pledged to press on with a move to hydrogen energy, even though he conceded it was not yet known how it could integrate with the gas grid.

Scottish Government must explain vaccine booking system failure

Tue 9 Feb, 2021

The Scottish Government still has significant questions to answer after failing to adequately explain why NHS Fife has experienced problems with its vaccine booking system, Scottish Greens Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell has said.

Questioning the Health Secretary in parliament this afternoon Mr Ruskell noted that yesterday’s queues came following a winter flu vaccination programme in Fife that was described as ‘Shambolic’.

Mark Ruskell MSP said:

Green recovery needs bold investments like Rail for All

Tue 9 Feb, 2021

A green recovery from the pandemic will require more strategic investments such as the £22bn proposals to upgrade Scotland’s railways from the Scottish Greens, the party has said.

Mark Ruskell: Vaccine queues completely unacceptable

Mon 8 Feb, 2021

The Health Secretary must personally intervene to ensure that the unacceptable situation of older people queuing in freezing temperatures outside vaccine clinics is not repeated, Scottish Greens Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell has said.

Greens call for transparency on self isolation support

Thu 4 Feb, 2021

Numbers of people receiving practical support to safely self-isolate should be published to measure the effectiveness of the test and trace system, the Scottish Greens have said.

Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell raised the issue at Holyrood’s COVID committee after MSPs rejected Green calls to make practical support universal in a vote yesterday.

Speaking afterwards, Mark Ruskell said: “The Scottish Government must ensure practical support for people to self-isolate is reaching people who need it when so many barriers remain.

Parliament votes down Green universal self isolation support

Wed 3 Feb, 2021

Scottish Green proposals for universal support for people to self-isolate have been voted down by the SNP and Tory MSPs.

Despite being a vital part of attempts to drive down transmission of coronavirus, compliance in self-isolation remains worryingly low.

Proposals from the Scottish Greens included universal support in the form of tailored ‘supported isolation packages’ that would include financial and practical support such as accommodation, food, and any other essential services that may be required to allow self-isolate.