Mark Ruskell wins Parliamentarian of the Month award for animal cruelty questions
Mark Ruskell has picked up an award for holding Michael Gove to account on post-Brexit regulation of chemical substances to make sure animals aren’t needlessly being subjected to testing.
The ‘parliamentarian of the month’ award from animal NGO Cruelty Free International comes after the Scottish Greens MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife raised the issue in the Scottish Parliament.
At a meeting of the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee, Ruskell won assurances from the UK Environment Secretary that whatever will replace the EU’s REACH regulations will not require chemicals to undergo duplicate tests on animals after Brexit.
Responding, Mark Ruskell said: “I’m grateful to Cruelty Free international for this award.
“The EU has played a leading role on animal welfare and there remains a very clear risk that much of that could be undone by the Tories' careless Brexit.
“That’s why the work of Caroline Lucas in Westminster has been vital in forcing Michael Gove to recognise animal sentience - that animals can experience pain, loss and degradation.
“But that also must be reflected across policy areas, from regulation to rights. For example, I urge people to respond to the consultation on my colleague Alison Johnstone’s proposed Fox and Hare bill.”
Michelle Thew, Chief Executive of Cruelty Free International, said: "We are delighted to champion parliamentarians who demonstrate concern for animal welfare and take steps to help end the suffering of animals in laboratories.
“Mark has been a strong advocate of animal welfare and has raised concerns in parliament regarding the risk of duplicate animal testing for UK chemical regulation following Brexit. It’s a pleasure to present Mark with our Cruelty Free International Parliamentarian of the Month award for June 2019.”