Fines for Red Book truffles: what threatens mushroom pickers in Ukraine.

Types of truffles in Ukrainian forests

According to inkorr.com: Scientists in Ukraine have discovered several species of truffles, including summer and winter varieties. The summer truffle, which grows in oak and beech forests in western Ukraine and Crimea, has become very rare and is now listed in the Red Book of Ukraine. The winter truffle is also common in western regions, but is not currently protected, although it is a rare species.

The collection of 'red book' mushrooms is punishable by fines, but determining the fact of their collection can be quite difficult. Maria Shevchenko noted that the fines for citizens range from 17 to 51 hryvnias, while fines for collection in protected areas range from 425 to 850 hryvnias.

The fine amount is minimal – from 17 to 51 UAH for citizens, and for collecting mushrooms in nature reserve areas – from 425 to 850 UAH. But it is hard to fix such violations and prove in court that this person collected these mushrooms. Imagine someone of conscious citizens called the police, but the police are unlikely to be knowledgeable about the species of mushrooms from the Red Book. Our system for tracking and punishing the collection of mushrooms and plants from the Red Book, unfortunately, is not regulated.

Mycologist tips

Regarding the consumption of mushrooms by children, Maria Shevchenko reported that restrictions apply not only to children but also to individuals with gastrointestinal problems, pregnant women, and the elderly. The specialist emphasized that chitin in mushrooms is considered safe for the body, as it is mostly excreted in unchanged form.

The Ministry of Health does not recommend consuming mushrooms for children under 12 years old, people with gastrointestinal disorders, pregnant women, and the elderly. Indeed, a person does not have the enzyme that digests chitin, and this does not depend on age. In fact, chitin is not a problem – it is an inert substance that is excreted from the body almost in the same form as it was consumed.

In conclusion, there is good news for all mushroom enthusiasts: scientists in Ukraine continue to discover new species of truffles in the forests. Summer and winter truffles remain rare, but they can still be found in the western regions. However, do not forget that collecting red book mushrooms can lead to fines, so it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the species of mushrooms allowed for collection without harming nature.