Nine people have been fined more than £1800 for illegal mushroom harvesting in the Epping Forest in Essex. The foragers, some of whom were selling to restaurants, were prosecuted at Southend Magistrates court.
The City of London Corporation, which protects the forest, said that fungi played a vital role in supporting trees and wildlife.
“The forest is an oasis for fungi, and home to some of the most exceptional beech trees in Europe. Any disruption in compaction of soils or disruption to their fungi associations is of great concern,” said Jeremy Dagley, head of conservation at Epping Forest.
Mr Dagley said that foraging for personal consumption was an admirable way to want to be in touch with nature, but warned that there was no sustainable level of foraging in Epping Forest.
