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Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)
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Mark Ruskell

Scottish Green Party

MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife (Region)


Mark Ruskell is Convener of the Rural Affairs Committee

About Mark Ruskell

Contact details

Contact online

X (previously known as Twitter): @x.com/markruskell

Contact at the Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Phone: 0131 348 6468
Text relay calls welcome.

Career as MSP

Career as MSP

Scottish Green Party
MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife (Region)
05 May 2016 to present

Scottish Green Party
Former MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife (Region)
01 May 2003 to 02 Apr 2007

Committees

Mark Ruskell is a member of 2 committees

Climate Action Committee

Substitute Member

Rural Affairs Committee

Convener

Cross-party groups

Mark Ruskell is not a member of any cross-party groups

Parliamentary and Government Roles

Mark Ruskell has 1 parliamentary and government role

Conveners Group

Member

Party Roles

Mark Ruskell has 1 party role

Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Nature

Scottish Green Party

Previous roles

Mark Ruskell has had the following roles in Parliament

Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.

21 May 2021 to 08 April 2026

Party Spokesperson on Transport

Scottish Green Party

21 May 2021 to 08 April 2026

Party Spokesperson on the Environment

Scottish Green Party

02 September 2025 to 08 April 2026

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Substitute Member

17 June 2021 to 08 April 2026

Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee

Member

24 June 2021 to 08 April 2026

Scottish Commission for Public Audit

Member

21 May 2025 to 18 November 2025

Education, Children and Young People Committee

Substitute Member

29 April 2025 to 02 September 2025

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Member

29 November 2023 to 29 April 2025

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

Substitute Member

21 May 2021 to 01 July 2024

Party Spokesperson on Climate

Scottish Green Party

29 November 2023 to 26 June 2024

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Substitute Member

08 September 2021 to 26 June 2024

Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee

Member

14 June 2017 to 09 March 2022

scottish parliamentary contributory pension fund

Trustee

26 May 2016 to 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on Climate Change

Scottish Green Party

26 May 2016 to 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on the Environment

Scottish Green Party

26 May 2016 to 04 May 2021

Party Spokesperson on Rural Economy

Scottish Green Party

16 September 2020 to 04 May 2021

COVID-19 Committee

Member

08 June 2016 to 04 May 2021

Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee

Member

06 September 2018 to 04 May 2021

Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee

Substitute Member

29 June 2016 to 04 May 2021

Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee

Substitute Member

13 September 2018 to 16 September 2020

Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Deputy Convener

04 September 2018 to 13 September 2018

Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Member

29 June 2016 to 06 September 2018

Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee

Substitute Member

21 June 2005 to 02 April 2007

Party Spokesperson on Fisheries

Scottish Green Party

28 May 2003 to 02 April 2007

Party Spokesperson on the Environment

Scottish Green Party

28 June 2006 to 02 April 2007

Environment and Rural Development Committee

Substitute Member

09 September 2004 to 07 June 2006

Environment and Rural Development Committee

Deputy Convener

30 June 2004 to 09 September 2004

Environment and Rural Development Committee

Member

03 September 2003 to 30 June 2004

Environment and Rural Development Committee

Substitute Member

Register of interests

Mark Ruskell's register of interests

MSPs must provide details of their financial interests in the Register of Interests. They make an initial statement on becoming or being returned as an MSP. This is then updated with any changes they provide.

Here is the register for Mark Ruskell. The date of their initial statement was 02 June 2026.

Remuneration and related undertaking

No registrable interests.

Gifts

No registrable interests.

Overseas visits

No registrable interests.

Controlled transactions

No registrable interests.

Heritable property

No registrable interests.

Interest in shares

No registrable interests.

Voluntary

I am an Honorary Associate Member of the British Veterinary Association.

Recent Activity

Official Report

What Mark Ruskell has said in Parliament

These are the official transcripts of what was said by this MSP in the chamber and at committee meetings. You'll find the topic discussed and how many times this MSP has contributed to the discussion.

Wildfires and Other Climate Shocks

Chamber meeting date: 30 September 2026

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "I thank my colleague Ariane Burgess for bringing forward this timely motion. We are in the age of a climate emergency. Last year, we had the worst year in recorded history in the UK for wildfires, so there is a sense of urgency…

Wildfires and Other Climate Shocks

Chamber meeting date: 30 September 2026

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "I thank my colleague Ariane Burgess for bringing forward this timely motion. We are in the age of a climate emergency. Last year, we had the worst year in recorded history in the UK for wildfires, so there is a sense of urgency…

Marine and Fisheries

Rural Affairs Committee meeting date: 30 September 2026

The Convener: "Agenda item 2 is evidence on marine and fisheries. We have scheduled around one hour and 15 minutes for our first panel of witnesses. We will then take a short break, which will be followed by a further discussion with our second panel of witnesses…

Decision on Taking Business in Private

Rural Affairs Committee meeting date: 30 September 2026

The Convener (Mark Ruskell): "Good morning, and welcome to the sixth meeting in session 7 of the Rural Affairs Committee. Please ensure that all electronic devices are switched to silent…

Rosyth to Dunkirk Ferry Service

Chamber meeting date: 29 September 2026

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green): "Last week, the First Minister told Parliament that the Government was committed to delivering a ferry service of the type proposed between Rosyth and Dunkirk. Will he update us on the Deputy First Minister’s meeting with Forth Ports last week…

Votes

How Mark Ruskell has voted in Parliament

Find out how Mark Ruskell has voted recently.

Supporting Scotland's Fishing Industry

Motion ref. S7M-01460.3

Submitted by: James Adams, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Result 102 for, 15 against, 0 abstained, 12 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Supporting Scotland's Fishing Industry

Motion ref. S7M-01460

Submitted by: Jim Fairlie, Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, October 5, 2026

Supported by: Gillian Martin
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Result 102 for, 15 against, 0 abstained, 12 did not vote

MSP voted for

Agreed

Supporting Scotland's Fishing Industry

Motion ref. S7M-01460.5

Submitted by: Ariane Burgess, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Result 21 for, 78 against, 15 abstained, 15 did not vote

MSP voted for

Disagreed

Supporting Scotland's Fishing Industry

Motion ref. S7M-01460.4

Submitted by: Andrew Baxter, Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Scottish Liberal Democrats. Date lodged: Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Result 22 for, 79 against, 16 abstained, 12 did not vote

MSP voted for

Disagreed

Supporting Scotland's Fishing Industry

Motion ref. S7M-01460.1

Submitted by: Jamie Langan, South Scotland, Reform UK . Date lodged: Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Result 26 for, 89 against, 0 abstained, 14 did not vote

MSP voted against

Disagreed

Motions

Motions made by Mark Ruskell in Parliament

Find out what motions Mark Ruskell has submitted recently.

Questions

Questions Mark Ruskell has asked

These are the questions that this MSP has asked in Parliament. It also includes any answer to those questions.

Question reference: S7W-04060

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party

Date lodged: 7 October 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 4 November 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government how concerns raised by Environmental Standards Scotland regarding the timing of the draft Climate Change Plan have informed its approach to the introduction of biodiversity targets under the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026."

Question reference: S7W-04061

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party

Date lodged: 7 October 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 4 November 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of concerns raised by Environmental Standards Scotland in its letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs on 24 August 2026, what steps it is taking to ensure that the agency's scrutiny and feedback on biodiversity targets, which will be set under the Natural Environment (Scotland)…

Question reference: S7W-03999

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party

Date lodged: 5 October 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 2 November 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its final evaluation of the Nature Restoration Fund, in light of its interim evaluation, which was published on 6 August 2025."

Question reference: S7W-04000

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party

Date lodged: 5 October 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 2 November 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government when it will commence the provision in the Natural Environment Act (Scotland) 2026 to make regulations regarding the installation of swift nest boxes in new buildings."

Question reference: S7W-04002

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party

Date lodged: 5 October 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 2 November 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the interaction of building standards legislation with the commencement of section 41 of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026."

Question reference: S7W-04001

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party

Date lodged: 5 October 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 2 November 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made to inform its plans for the commencement of the provision in the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026 requiring installation of swift nest boxes in buildings."

Question reference: S7W-04007

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party

Date lodged: 5 October 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 2 November 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government how it will engage with the COP31 climate summit."

Question reference: S7W-03998

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party

Date lodged: 5 October 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 2 November 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the correspondence from the Cabinet Sectary for Climate Action to the Climate Action Committee on 30 July 2026, what plans it has to engage with stakeholders across the housing, design and construction sectors regarding the commencement of the provision to install swift bricks in the Natural Environment…

Question reference: S7W-03914

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party

Date lodged: 2 October 2026

Current Status: Answer expected on 30 October 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the amount of packaging used for fruit and vegetables."

Question reference: S7W-03389

Asked by: Mark Ruskell, Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party

Date lodged: 16 September 2026

Current Status: Answered by Gillian Martin on 25 September 2026

"To ask the Scottish Government, following its consultation in late 2024, whether it will provide an update on progress towards the implementation of a disposable cup levy."