Foraging Laws and Regulations

Legal Situation

Decreto-Lei 254/2009 (repealed)

The Forest Code (Código Florestal), enacted on 24 September 2009, contained Article 64 — the only provision regulating mycological resources in Portugal.

Three categories of foraging:

Article 64 prohibitions:

• Within 500 m of industrial sites with gas emissions
• On roadsides with vehicle traffic
• On agricultural land using synthetic chemicals or intensive livestock farming
• Within urban perimeters (dentro dos perímetros urbanos)

Lei 12/2012 — repeal

On 13 March 2012, Lei n.º 12/2012 repealed Decreto-Lei 254/2009. The specific legislation on mycological resources ceased to apply.

Result: a legal vacuum. The 5 kg/day guideline remains the accepted reference in DGADR and ICNF recommendations, but is no longer formally binding.

Who Regulates

ICNF

Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas — successor to AFN and ICNB:

• Manages protected areas and the Rede Natura 2000 network
• Co-published the “Manual de Boas Práticas” with DGADR — a best-practice guide for foraging
• Runs training courses: UFCD 6359 (collectors) and UFCD 6358 (commercialisation)

DGADR

Direção-Geral de Agricultura e Desenvolvimento Rural:

• Project “Promover os Recursos Micológicos” (EAFRD-funded)
• Publication of guides, training materials, and the collector’s handbook

GNR/SEPNA

Nature protection service (Serviço de Proteção da Natureza e do Ambiente) under GNR (gendarmerie):

• Enforces foraging regulations, especially in Trás-os-Montes
• Hotline: SOS Ambiente e Território — 808 200 520 (24/7)

Protected Areas

Parque Natural de Montesinho

The first natural park in Portugal to establish specific mushroom foraging rules (via the Management Plan — POPNM).

Rules:

• Prohibited: commercial foraging
• Prohibited: foraging on Wednesdays
• Prohibited: foraging at night (sunset to sunrise)
• Prohibited: collecting specimens smaller than 3 cm / 2 cm (depending on species)
• Prohibited: use of buckets and plastic bags — baskets only
• Prohibited: disturbance of the soil layer

Other Protected Areas

• Peneda-Gerês (Portugal’s only national park) — mushroom foraging is traditional for local communities, but the territory is strictly regulated
• Rede Natura 2000 — foraging in Natura 2000 zones may require authorisation
• Recommendation: check the rules locally through ICNF or the municipal administration

Property Rights

Private land (terreno privado)

Foraging on someone else’s private land requires the owner’s or tenant’s consent. Trespass is a civil offence.

State forests (matas públicas)

Foraging must comply with Forest Management Plans (PGF), which may set their own rules.

Fines

General framework: Lei 50/2006

Fines for environmental offences in Portugal:

For legal entities, fines are considerably higher (from €9,000 for minor to €48,000+ for serious offences).

Commercial Foraging

Current Situation

• The formal licensing system has not been in effect since 2012
• Thousands of tonnes of mushrooms are exported annually through illegal channels
• The situation is particularly acute in Trás-os-Montes — cross-border trade with Spain
• Quercus (environmental organisation) condemns uncontrolled exports

Food Safety Requirements (in force)

Mushrooms sold on the market fall under EU regulations:

• Regulation (EC) 178/2002 — general principles of food safety
• Regulation (EC) 852/2004 — food hygiene

European Context

Portugal is the least regulated among Mediterranean countries. EFI (European Forest Institute) highlights the urgent need for regulation.

Practical Recommendations

1. Respect the 5 kg/day guideline — even though it is not formally binding
2. Check the rules before visiting protected areas
3. Do not forage on private land without permission
4. Use baskets, not plastic bags — see Forager’s equipment
5. Follow sustainable foraging practices — see Sustainable foraging ethics
6. Keep up to date with current rules on the ICNF and DGADR websites

Sources

1. Decreto-Lei 254/2009 — Diário da República (Artigo 64)
2. Lei n.º 12/2012 — repeal of the Forest Code
3. Lei 50/2006 — Framework law on environmental offences
4. CCRES — Enquadramento Legal (ccres.pt)
5. DGADR — Manual de Boas Práticas de Colheita e Consumo de Cogumelos Silvestres
6. Quercus — “Apelo à regulamentação da produção, recoleção e comercialização de cogumelos silvestres” (2021)
7. ICNF — Parque Natural de Montesinho (POPNM)
8. EFI — “Regulation required for Mediterranean mushrooms and truffles”