Get the latest from Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell

Poisoning of White-Tailed Eagle reveals need for reform

Wed 29 Jul, 2020

The revelation that a White-Tailed eagle found dead in the Cairngorms is found to have been poisoned shows the Scottish Government must go further to tackle wildlife crime around grouse moors, Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell has said.

Police Scotland have confirmed the satellite tracked bird had been poisoned with pesticide as they investigate the crime.

Greens environment spokesperson Mark Ruskell is the species champion for the White-Tailed eagle, also known as the sea eagle, of which there are only around 150 breeding pairs in Scotland.

Its time for better buses says Ruskell.

Wed 29 Jul, 2020

Its time for better buses says Ruskell. As public transport timetables return to normal, Green MSP Mark Ruskell has launched a survey for bus users in Fife, Perth & Kinross and Clackmannanshire.

This follows on from a similar survey in nearby Stirling which showed a high level of dissatisfaction with bus services there.

Exxonmobil seek eight-month delay to Mossmorran noise reduction improvements

Mon 27 Jul, 2020

Exxonmobil want to delay vital improvements at the Mossmorran plant in Fife designed to reduce the noise pollution suffered by local residents for eight months, the Scottish Greens have learned.

Communities in Cowdenbeath and nearby have suffered noise, light and air pollution for several years during flaring episodes which burns excess gas as a safety measure and can be seen right across Eastern Scotland. The operator has been given several warnings about the episodes by the regulator SEPA, who referred one incident to the courts.

Scottish Greens MSP will bring back 20mph law after Wales adopts new national limit

Thu 16 Jul, 2020

Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell has called on the Scottish Government to put road safety first and get behind plans to roll out 20mph speed limits in Scotland’s residential areas. 

Mr Ruskell who brought forward legislation to make 20mph the default speed limit on Scotland’s streets last year, made the call as the Senedd in Wales backed detailed plans for a national 20mph residential speed limit to be introduced by 2023. The plans agreed by a two thirds majority are identical to those proposed by Mr Ruskell at Holyrood last year.

Mark Ruskell MSP said: 

Greens demand action after ‘deeply alarming’ species decline

Fri 26 Jun, 2020

The decline in Scotland’s nature has continued apace, according to a new report snuck out by the Scottish Government.

Scotland misses climate targets again

Tue 16 Jun, 2020

Scottish Government has missed its climate emissions target for the second year in in a row, it has emerged.

Figures on greenhouse gas emissions for 2018 show that Scotland’s climate emissions increased and the target was missed by a significant margin, largely because of an increase in emissions from the power sector, where fossil fuel use increased by half. Emissions from homes increased by 3.4 per cent and transport remains the largest source of emissions.

First Minister must go further on transition funding

Fri 12 Jun, 2020

Responding to the First Minister’s announcement of a new £62m energy transition fund over the next 5 years, Scottish Greens Energy Spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP said: 

“I welcome the First Minister’s acknowledgement that her government must drive investment in Scotland’s energy transition, but the funding announced today amounts to a drop in the ocean compared to what is ultimately required. 

Scottish Greens seek to reintroduce tail docking ban

Fri 12 Jun, 2020

Scottish Greens will bring forward a proposal to reverse the SNP’s “barbaric” decision to end the ban on docking puppy’s tails next week. 

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell will move an amendment to the Animals and Wildlife Bill when it is debated in parliament on Wednesday. 

Scottish Greens Environment Spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP said: 

“Tail docking is barbaric. 

“The SNP’s decision ditch the tail docking ban in 2017 was a dark day for animal welfare in Scotland. 

Scotland misses tree planting target

Thu 11 Jun, 2020

Attempts to reforest Scotland have missed Scottish Government targets on tree-planting, it has emerged.

Concerns over wildlife crime during lockdown

Thu 4 Jun, 2020

‘Concerning’ wildlife crime during lockdown shows why greater protection and enforcement is needed, the Scottish Greens have said.

Speaking to Scottish Green environment spokesperson Mark Ruskell at Holyrood’s Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee, Francesca Osowska, Chief Executive of Scottish Natural Heritage, said there has been reports of incidents concerning nesting birds, badgers and freshwater mussels during lockdown.