Moscow Region Imposes Fines for Red Book Mushroom Collection
What kind of mushroom is this, is it dangerous, and can one collect ordinary mushrooms that grow nearby? «VM» tells us, Dmitry Tikhomirov.
Consensus
- Starting September 1, 2026, fines will be enforced in Moscow Oblast for collecting, selling, or damaging fungi listed in the regional Red Book.
- The Red Book of Moscow Oblast includes 26 fungal species requiring special protection.
- Fines for ordinary citizens range from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles.
- Fines for officials range from 20,000 to 30,000 rubles.
- Fines for legal entities range from 50,000 to 100,011 rubles.
- The changes were approved by the Moscow Oblast Duma in March 2026.
Points of divergence
- Experts state that common edible mushrooms like boletes, chanterelles, and birch boletes are not on the Red Book list and pose no risk to amateur foragers. — vm
- Red Book fungi have highly distinctive appearances—such as coral-like shapes or gelatinous masses—making accidental collection unlikely. — vm
- Experts question the practicality of enforcement, noting that identifying rare fungi requires expert analysis and that police are unlikely to conduct large-scale checks of foragers' baskets. — vm
- Experts raise biological concerns about including fungi in the Red Book, noting that only the fruiting body is visible above ground while the mycelium remains underground. — vm
- No details are provided on the types of fungi, fine amounts, or enforcement mechanisms. — tg_moscowmap
Coverage (3 sources)
- Which mushrooms cannot be collected in the Moscow region in 2026: types, fine amount, who is fined — Вечерняя Москва
- Which mushrooms cannot be collected in the Moscow region — Вечерняя Москва
- Fines introduced for collecting and selling red-listed mushrooms in the Moscow region — Новости Москвы