Residents of Sevastopol can pick mushrooms, but experts do not recommend it — they say there is not enough knowledge…

Roman Denisov also recalled that in the Crimean forests there are species of mushrooms prohibited for collection. Most often, these are rare species listed in the Red Books of Sevastopol, Crimea and the Russian Federation. Their collection and preparation is prohibited.

It is difficult for our employees to work with those who are still involved in the procurement of Red Book mushrooms — you can’t look into every mushroom picker’s basket, the calculation is more on the integrity of people, — Roman Denisov commented.

According to him, forestry employees have the right to demand the presentation of documents from a person who is in the forest, as well as to inspect the contents of a basket of mushrooms, but, of course, they cannot conduct a personal search. At the same time, forestry employees can, if necessary, call law enforcement officers to the scene, who will deliver potential violators to the institution of internal affairs bodies to clarify their identity or establish any circumstances related to a particular offense.

The degree of administrative responsibility depends on what kind of mushrooms we are talking about. The latter is regulated by Chapter 8 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation “Administrative offenses in the field of environmental protection, natural resource management and treatment of animals”,” explained Roman Denisov.

He also invited mushroom pickers to familiarize themselves with the contents of Article 35 of this chapter in advance, adding that in case of ignorance, the contents of the article, as a rule, will be outlined by law enforcement officers on the spot.

By the way…

On October 12, 2023, a federal law came into force that introduces criminal liability for the destruction, collection, storage, illegal acquisition, sale and transportation of especially valuable plants and mushrooms that are included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation or are protected by international treaties of the country.

If earlier Article 8.35 of the Code dealt only with rare animals and plants, the changes made will make it possible to fine “other organisms” for causing harm, including mushrooms listed in the Red Book of Russia.

Now, for collecting Red Book mushrooms, the fine for individuals will be from 2.5 thousand to 5 thousand rubles, for legal entities — from 500 thousand rubles to 1 million.

Reference: The Red Book of Sevastopol includes 19 species of mushrooms growing in our region, including edible ones: summer truffle, Caesar’s fly agaric, fly agaric, Vittadini’s fly agaric, several types of boletus, hairless mushroom, Bellini’s butterfly, red-yellow boletus, satanic mushroom, Bellini’s butterball , red trellis, milk mushrooms.

source: «Sevastopol newspaper»