He recalled that last year criminal liability was introduced for the deliberate destruction or damage of especially valuable plants and mushrooms listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation and (or) protected by international treaties of the Russian Federation. The same applies to illegal extraction, collection, acquisition, storage and transportation of such plants, mushrooms and their derivatives (Article 260.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).
However, we are not talking about all species, but only about those that, in addition to the Red Book, are also included in the list of the Government Decree of October 31, 2013 and are especially valuable, the lawyer explained in an interview with the Main Agency.
For this reason, Kuderko advised that when looking for mushrooms, it is advisable to check the Red Book for the appearance of the matsutake mushroom, which was not protected by criminal law even in the last mushroom season.
As for other mushrooms from the Red Book, their collection, acquisition, storage, transportation or sale is subject to administrative liability: a fine of 2.5 thousand to 5 thousand rubles with confiscation of the extraction tool.
Violators also risk becoming defendants in liability lawsuits for damage to flora.
