According to national legislation, mushroom harvesting is regulated by the Regions and local regulations: here are limits and exceptions, from Northern to Southern Italy.
Every year, with the arrival of autumn seasonthe moment that coincides with the is also approaching mushroom pickinga tradition that involves thousands of enthusiasts in Italy. Unlike what many may think, harvesting is an activity regulated by precise ruleswhich establish harvest limits based on quantity, species or variety.
The national reference is the law of 23 August 1993, n. 352, which only fixes the national maximum limit of 3kg, delegating to the Regions the task of detailing specific limits by species or variety. Among other things, collecting is prohibited the good egg (Amanita caesarea) when it is still closed and, above all, it is forbidden to destroy or willfully harm i inedible mushrooms or poisonous: these too, in fact, perform an important function in the ecosystem. Let’s see below, region by region, what the daily threshold allowed per person is and in which cases exceptions are foreseen.
Aosta Valley
Regional law allows one kilo per day per persona threshold that can only be exceeded when a single specimen alone weighs more than one kilo, as indicated by the Valle d’Aosta Forestry Corps.
Piedmont
In Piedmont the limit is three kilos in totalbased on regional law n.24 of 2007. Except for those who collect on their own land: owners, usufructuaries and cultivators, together with their first degree relatives and in-laws, are exempted both by the weight limit and by the obligation to have the title for the collection.
Liguria
Every person can collect maximum 3 kg of mushrooms per day. For the good egg (Amanita caesarea) a under-limit of 1 kg inside that roof, while for porcini mushrooms (Boletus reticulatus, edulis, aereus and pinophilus) and the other species there are no sub-limits: they can make up the entire permitted quantity. The exceptions are: tacks (Armillaria mellea) remain out of the count.
Lombardy
Regional law sets the maximum daily collection limit at three kilos per personexcept for the collection of specimens of Armillaria sppa genre for which no quantitative limits are set. The region explains that the collection is freeexcept in areas where mountain communities or park authorities ask for a contribution.
Trentino-Alto Adige
Trento and Bolzano, although sharing the same region, follow different rules. In Trentino each person over 10 years old can collect up to 3 kg of mushrooms per day: children under 10 years of age can collect if accompanied by a family member, without prejudice to the maximum limit allowed. In South Tyrol the general limit is 1 kg per day per person (aged 14 and over), with collection permitted only in even days of the monthfrom 7am to 7pm. For residents of the Municipality, the Provincial Council can authorize up to 2kg. Owners, usufructuaries and tenants can collect from their own funds without quantitative limits.
Veneto
Three kilos overall also in Veneto, with a one kilo roof which regional law n.23 of 1996 reserves for the most valuable species, including porcini mushrooms, ovoli, chanterelles, pioppiniblackthorns, morels and drumsticks.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Regional law allows three kilos as a daily limit per person, which can be overcome with a single specimen or a single head. To collect throughout the region, amandatory authorization, plus an annual contribution of 60 euros.
Emilia-Romagna
Three kilos a dayof which no more than one kilo in total Of ovoli And blackthorns. The region reminds you that you need a card, issued by municipalities, unions and park authorities and which can be valid daily, weekly, monthly or half-yearly.
Tuscany
Regional provisions indicate that the limit is three kilos per personwhich become ten for those who live in a mountain area and collect in their own municipality.
Umbria
In Umbria for mushroom picking a maximum is indicated three kilos a dayto be stored in woven natural fiber containers, as usual ban on the closed ovolo. An authorization is not required for residents, while those arriving from outside the region must obtain one.
Marche
In the Marche region each person can harvest as much as possible three kilograms of mushrooms per day, four if authorized for sale. The limit can only be exceeded in case of a unique specimen or of several cogrown and non-separable specimens. No roof for lignicolous fungi.
Lazio
From 2020 Lazio it no longer requires a badge of collection. In order to collect, however, you need a certificate of attendance of a mycological training course and a receipt for the annual payment of the regional contribution. The ceiling of law n.32 of 1998 remains at three kilos and can be collected every day of the week.
Abruzzo
The regional law makes more distinctions permissions. The ordinary one, of type A, allows three kilos a daythat of type Breserved for some subsidized categories, reaches fourthat of type Cexpected for residents in the municipalities affected by the collection, not exceeding 5 kilos.
Molise
In Molise the maximum collection limit per day is three kilosplus a carpophore, a mushroom in addition, according to regional law. The region indicates a annual contribution of 25 euros for residents, from which those over 65 are exempt.
Campania
Three kilos total of which no more than one between ovoli and blackthorn, is the rule of the regional law of 2007. Professional pickers can reach ten kilos only in mountain areas.
Puglia
In Puglia the regional law allows three kilos a day to the amateur collector, with a cost of 25 eurosand ten to the professional, who pays 50.
Basilicata
Regional law indicates a maximum of two kilos a day and ten for those who collect for work, of which no more than one of ovoli and blackthorns.
Calabria
According to regional law, collection is permitted within the maximum limit of three kilos dailywhich however rises to five for residents of the mountain municipalities and ten for those who have the professional card.
Sicily
I am in Sicily four kilos a day with the amateur card and twelve with the professional one, based on regional law.
Sardinia
In Sardinia there is no regional limit so the reference is the national threshold established by Law 352/1993 or three kilos a day each.
