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.

Greens urge government to back outright foxhunting ban

Sat 26 Dec, 2020

The Scottish Government should back an outright ban on foxhunting, consigning the boxing day hunt

to history, Scottish Greens environment spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP has said.

Environmental protections secured after Brexit

Wed 23 Dec, 2020

Scotland’s new environment watchdog will have the financial independence to hold government and polluters to account after Brexit, thanks to the Scottish Greens.

Scotland’s Brexit bill to keep pace with European protections has been strengthened by the Scottish Greens to ensure that new watchdog Environmental Standards Scotland is strong enough to investigate failures to meet standards and keep government to its word on promises to tackle the climate emergency.

Scottish Greens back ‘fast up slow down’ approach to tiers

Thu 17 Dec, 2020

Scottish Greens have welcomed confirmation that the Scottish Government is pursuing a “fast up, slow down” approach to the tiers of restrictions on local authorities.

The comments were made by clinical director Jason Leitch at Holyrood’s COVID committee this morning in reference to the row over Edinburgh remaining at Tier three restrictions when the criteria suggested it should move down.

Scottish Greens respond to updated climate plan

Wed 16 Dec, 2020

The objectives Scottish Government’s new updated climate plan must be consistent with its budget decisions, the Scottish Greens have said.

Commenting on the newly published climate plan, which had been due in April, Scottish Green environment spokesperson Mark Ruskell said: “It is good to see this plan finally published, and parliament will be giving it intense scrutiny in the New Year.

Revealed: fox hunts gathering in numbers during lockdown

Thu 10 Dec, 2020

Fox hunts appear to be operating as normal during COVID restrictions, it has emerged.

Scottish Greens environment spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP has raised the issue after The League Against Cruel Sports reported that Scottish hunts appear to be going out as usual three times a week, with large gatherings of people reported.

Hunts appear to be exploiting two exceptions which allow six people to gather for ‘pest control’ and 30 to gather for ‘equestrian events’.

This is happening while citizens are confined to a two household and six-person limit.

Scottish Government confirms discussions on windfall tax

Thu 3 Dec, 2020

The Scottish Government has confirmed it has entered discussions with the UK Government over Scottish Green proposals for a windfall tax on companies that have greatly increased profits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scottish Greens deliver new Marine Protected Areas

Thu 3 Dec, 2020

New Marine Protections announced by the Scottish Government are the result of Scottish Green budget negotiations.

The designation of four new Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and a further 12 sites given Special Protection Area status, announced today, is the result of Scottish Greens pressure on the Scottish Government to deliver 2018/19 budget commitments.

Commenting, Mark Ruskell said: “This is a major step towards protecting our marine environment, and we are delighted to see this commitment to the Scottish Greens delivered.”

Scottish Government accused of Bifab “betrayal”

Tue 1 Dec, 2020

The Scottish Government has been accused of betraying the Bifab workforce and local communities by Scottish Greens Energy Spokesperson, Fife MSP Mark Ruskell.

Mark Ruskell comments on Bifab latest

Fri 27 Nov, 2020

Commenting on the statement issued by Bifab's owners this morning, Scottish Greens Energy Spokesperson and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell said:

“The Scottish Government cannot bemoan the fact that it’s a minority shareholder with no seat on the board while at the same time turning down opportunities to step up and become a majority shareholder. Bifab urgently needs a recovery plan that can secure interim work and deliver promised green jobs while the Scottish Government works towards state ownership that is still in line with market rules it has to adhere to.”

Scottish Govt dodges wildlife responsibilities

Thu 26 Nov, 2020

The Scottish Government has dodged its responsibilities on the nature and climate responsibilities by allowing destructive grouse moors to decide how they are to be regulated, the Scottish Greens have warned.

Having waited a year to respond to a review into Scotland’s grouse moors, ministers have now confirmed that the grouse shooting industry is unable to police itself, but indicated it will get to decide its own regulations.

In a statement to parliament environment minister Mairi Gougeon announced a further consultation on grouse moor licensing scheme will take place.