Expert Staroverova: Picking some mushrooms in Russia can result in imprisonment

According to her, there are no seasonal restrictions for mushroom picking in Russia. According to the Forest Code, citizens have the right to freely and freely be in the forests, pick mushrooms and berries for their own needs.

The ban applies to the collection of mushrooms and wild plants listed in the Red Book of Russia or a constituent entity of the Russian Federation, Staroverova explained.

In our country, the ban applies to about 41 species of rare mushrooms. Among them are: fragrant cobweb cap, Nebrodian oyster mushroom, summer truffle, flaky cone mushroom, honey fungus, root-loving tinder fungus, crumbling fly agaric.

In addition, the agency's interlocutor added, it is prohibited to collect mushrooms and other plants that are recognized as narcotic drugs in accordance with the law "On narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances". Fines and other types of punishment are provided for this.

Fines may also be imposed for picking mushrooms in nature reserves and national parks, the expert noted.

In some cases, when collecting especially valuable types of mushrooms, such as the matsutake rowan, or rare species listed in the Red Book (red lattice, crispa grifola, cone-shaped fly agaric and others), you may face not only a fine, but also criminal liability.

"For collecting especially valuable mushrooms, Article 260.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation provides for mandatory work of up to 480 hours, a fine of up to one million rubles, or imprisonment for up to four years," Staroverova said.