Picking mushrooms and berries: how and where to get a "forest ticket"

Fall is the season of mushrooms and berries. People go to "mushroom towns" not only to pick plants for their favorite dishes, but also to relax and organize beautiful photo shoots. A variety of fresh mushrooms and berries are also available in shops and markets. But picking mushrooms, berries, and other plants in the forest has its own rules.

Lawyers from the free legal aid (FLA) system explain when you can do this without a permit and when you need to get a forest ticket.

First of all, lawyers note that if you collect wild plants, flowers, berries, nuts, mushrooms, etc. for your own consumption, you do not need a special permit. However, it is prohibited to collect plants and mushrooms listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

How to obtain a special permit

To obtain a special permit - the so-called "forest ticket" - you need to: fill out an application for the use of forest resources, indicating the type (e.g., harvesting mushrooms, berries) and the volume of harvesting. This application must be submitted in person or by mail to the branch of the State Enterprise"Forests of Ukraine" or the forestry on whose territory the harvesting is planned and the rent must be paid (the payment details will be provided by the branch you have applied to). A "forest ticket" is issued after payment is confirmed. You can also submit an application electronically through the Diia or EcoSystem portal, indicating the type and volume of the resource, and pay the rent after approval.

The lawyers emphasized that the document is issued annually, taking into account the limits of forest resources.

Володимир Шкаєв