Protection of fungi.

[chazzpott]

Can anyone throw any light on the protection of fungi in law? Roger Phillips's excellent new book lists many fungi that he says are protected with red data listing. Are there any mushrooms (apart from Psilocybe) That are illegal to disturb? Happy foraging

[chazzpott]

I thought I'd give this topic a second airing, as nobody seemed interested in it 3 years ago.

[jonbem]

just a thought but....
nature will find a way for the best!
Darwin and the survival of the fittest etc.
Cockroaches, crocodiles and ferns are the longest continual (hardly varied) species I think from my watching of the scientific TV
Yes I know we covet both natural and material things, but in the great scheme of life the universe and everything (42, Doug Adams etc) we are enjoying(?) the dominance of man on earth, and begining to explore beyond (a mere blip on the time cycle of the earth). So our enjoyment should be relished. Is a Red Data fungi worth saving as much as the wild Indian tiger, equally both in my opinion, but I also realise that over the millenia other species (that we have via fossil record) have come and gone. Mankind is but a blip. Again from observed media, all the air we breathe is full of spores and yeasts and pollen. Whilst I have seen no evidence of intelligence in spores, yeasts and pollen you have to applaud them for survival!

[Lancashire Lad]

These documents may not all be enshrined in law, but may be of interest nevertheless: -

(Preliminary Assessment) - Red Data List of Threatened British Fungi: -
http://www.fieldmycology.net/Downloa...tish_Fungi.pdf

BMS Wild Mushroom Picker's Code of Conduct:
http://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/index...load_file/225/

BMS Collecting and Recording Fungi -
(Note Appendix 12 re drugs act 2005, which obviously is Law): -
http://www.fungi4schools.org/Reprint..._Recording.pdf

Regards,
Mike

[Adam Cheeseman]

As far as I'm aware there are no statutory laws regarding fungi.

This link lists all species currently on the UKBAP Fungi list (it includes Lichens, of which there are many)
New Priority Species and Habitats

Many places, such as Epping Forest and Chobham Common, have their own rules regarding collecting. Chobham Common is 1kg per person.

This article by Peter Marren also makes good reading. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environmen...6/food.society

Cheers,

Adam

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

As far as I'm aware there are no statutory laws regarding fungi.....

Other than where potential conflict with the 1978 Theft Act, and the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act might occur.
(For example: - commercial collecting, with a view to sale or gain, or collecting on National Nature Reserves or Sites of Special Scientific Interest).

Not forgetting the 2005 Drugs Act mentioned earlier, and of course any by-laws which may apply to a specific site.

Regards,
Mike.

[nightshade]

Harvesting of Fungi has always bothered me, one or two people in an area,
well ok, but large groups of semi-professional "foragers" encouraging lots of other foragers could lead to problems as more pieces of the jig-saw disappear.

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by nightshade

Harvesting of Fungi has always bothered me, one or two people in an area,
well ok, but large groups of semi-professional "foragers" encouraging lots of other foragers could lead to problems as more pieces of the jig-saw disappear.

Very much agree with this.

I've encountered people collecting who simply don't know what they are doing, just collecting everything in sight - presumably in order to try to establish what might be edible later on.

Then there are those who actually do know what they are doing, but who insist on collecting far more than any normal person/family might be likely to consume. - I'm sure that much of what is collected must just go to waste.

I'm convinced that the many television clips and newspaper articles seen during the last months, which have encouraged foraging as a good practice in these days of economic downturn, will have exacerbated this problem.

As you say, a given location may be able to sustain low-key foraging by a few responsible individuals, but wholesale collecting, encouraged by the media, and practiced by those who haven't a clue of the implications can rapidly reduce the local diversity.

NB: Dont want this thread to become embroiled in the edibles debate so "nuff said" on that issue. (I always get my mushrooms from the market!!)

Then there are the (many) idiots who think that fungi are only good for kicking or squashing - but that's another story.

Regards,
Mike.

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

Other than where potential conflict with the 1978 Theft Act, and the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act might occur.
(For example: - commercial collecting, with a view to sale or gain, or collecting on National Nature Reserves or Sites of Special Scientific Interest).

Not forgetting the 2005 Drugs Act mentioned earlier, and of course any by-laws which may apply to a specific site.

Regards,
Mike.

Indeed. I was just referring to conservation/protective legislation. There are many other laws that could be associated with the act of collecting rather than the collecting itself.

Cheers,

Adam

[mollisia]

Hello,

in Germany the red List is of no judicial function. it is no law at all. It does not imply, that those fungi listed there are not allowed to be collected. I think neither in Great Britain nor in any other country the Red Lists have the character of a law (except may be the Red Books in countries of the the former USSR).

best regards,
Andreas