Law on fines for picking mushrooms, nuts and berries sent to Zelenskyy for signature

The law on increasing fines for picking mushrooms, nuts and berries in areas where it is prohibited was sent to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his signature.

This is stated in the card of bill No. 9665, the Ukrainian News agency reports.

The law was adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on October 10 in the second reading.

The next day, October 11, the law was handed over to the Speaker of the Parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, for his signature.

The Speaker of the Rada signed the law on October 15, the same day the law was sent to Zelenskyy for signature.

The law enters into force on the day following its publication.

An increase in the fine for the arbitrary implementation of secondary forest uses in forests and on lands designated for forestry purposes, in areas where it is prohibited or allowed only with forest tickets, as well as for violation of the terms of implementation of secondary forest uses, is foreseen.

Previously, the fine was from UAH 17 to UAH 51 (1-3 tax-free minimum incomes of citizens), for officials - from UAH 51 to UAH 119 hryvnias (3-7 tax-free minimum incomes of citizens).

By law, the amount of the fine increases to UAH 425-850 (25-50 tax-free minimum incomes of citizens), for officials - from UAH 1,700 to UAH 5,100 (100-300 tax-free minimum incomes of citizens).

According to the Forest Code, secondary forest uses include: harvesting hay, grazing livestock, placing beehives, harvesting wild fruits, nuts, mushrooms, berries, medicinal plants, collecting forest litter, harvesting reeds.

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, the Rada has increased fines for illegal collection of nuts, mushrooms and berries.