Mark Ruskell MSP

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.

20mph speed limit in built-up areas would save the public up to £40m a year

Thu 20 Sep, 2018

A 20mph speed limit in built-up areas, as proposed by Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell, would save the public between £7.8m and £39.9m per year, a new report by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health (GCPH) has estimated.

An analysis of cost savings was carried out by the GCPH adapted from a model used in an equivalent study in Wales.

Greens progress seaweed dredging ban at Holyrood

Tue 18 Sep, 2018

A ban on the dredging of seaweed around Scotland’s coastline has become more likely after a Holyrood committee today voted in favour of a Green MSP’s amendment to the Scottish Crown Estate Bill.

The amendment from Mark Ruskell, the Scottish Greens’ environment spokesperson, will outlaw any form of kelp harvesting which prevents the plant from re-growing, if voted on at Stage 3.

We cannot sweep food ethics under the carpet or consumers will take their money elsewhere

Mark Ruskell MSP Fri 14 Sep, 2018

As Scotland’s annual Food and Drink Fortnight comes to a close this weekend, the past two weeks have left us with plenty of food for thought about how we produce, consume and market our food.

This year’s event has been themed around the future of Scotland’s food and drink industry, but for many we have been given a stark warning about what that future could look like if we fail to take animal welfare concerns seriously.

SNP Ministers in denial on crisis in food poverty & farmed animal welfare

Thu 13 Sep, 2018

SNP Ministers are in denial on the crisis in food poverty and farmed animal welfare, according to the Scottish Greens who today (13 Sep) will use a Holyrood debate to highlight the government's failure to bring forward a Good Food Nation Bill.

The legislation was an SNP manifesto pledge in 2016 but has been quietly downgraded to a "programme" of industry marketing in the Programme for Government.

Ministers red-faced as Ruskell prompts P&O to "cease co-operating" on transport of live animals for slaughter

Tue 11 Sep, 2018

Scottish Ministers have been left red-faced after Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell prompted ferry company P&O to "cease co-operating" with the Scottish Government to prevent the transport of live animals to Ireland for onward travel to Europe for slaughter.

The announcement was made following an investigation aired by BBC Scotland’s Disclosure that exposed the shocking suffering of baby calves being transported from Scotland to the continent via Northern Ireland.

Ministers under pressure to rethink support for exports of live farm animals as BBC doc exposes cruelty

Mon 10 Sep, 2018

Scottish Ministers are under renewed pressure from the Scottish Greens to rethink their support for exports of live farm animals as a BBC documentary exposes the cruelty of the practice.

The export of live animals is unnecessary

Mark Ruskell MSP Mon 10 Sep, 2018

The footage in BBC Scotland’s Disclosure: The Dark Side of Dairy documentary was shocking, but not unexpected. The issue of live exports has been bubbling away in the Scottish Parliament, ever since the Cabinet Secretary, Fergus Ewing, had an unprompted outburst back in February and said: "Let me be absolutely clear, [a ban on live exports] is one UK-wide framework the Scottish government will not be participating in”.

Ewing under pressure to rethink support for cruel exports of live farm animals as our poll shows Scots want a ban

Thu 30 Aug, 2018

The SNP’s Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing is under pressure to rethink his support for cruel exports of live farm animals for overseas slaughter, after an opinion poll commissioned by the Scottish Greens showed three out of four Scots want the practice banned.

A Panelbase poll of 1,000 Scots reveals that of those expressing an opinion, 73 per cent believe such movements should be banned, while 27 per cent believe they should be allowed.

Ten communities first to benefit from Green rail fund

Thu 9 Aug, 2018

Ten communities will be the first to benefit from a new rail fund set up by the Scottish Greens during negotiations with government over the most recent Scottish budget.

The Local Rail Development Fund is worth £2million this year and was set up by the Greens in an effort to help community groups progress proposals for reopening stations and lines and creating new connections.

Today's first round of funding will benefit communities including Haddington in East Lothian, Linlithgow in West Lothian, Insch in Aberdeenshire and Newburgh and St Andrews in Fife.

Michael Gove reveals feeble replacement for European Court of Justice

Wed 27 Jun, 2018

Michael Gove’s plans for a weaker alternative to the European Court of Justice were ridiculed by a Green MSP today at Holyrood.

Mark Ruskell, the Scottish Greens’ environment spokesperson, says the new body, which Mr Gove revealed will not be allowed to “second guess” environmentally destructive planning decisions, will lead to significantly poorer environmental standards in the UK after leaving the European Union.