Polish authorities crack down on organized mushroom harvesting groups

Law enforcement agencies in Poland, including the Police, Border Guard, Forest Guard, and Customs and Tax Service, have conducted extensive operations in the Beskid Niski forests. The crackdown targeted organized groups of Romanian citizens who were reportedly transporting large quantities of mushrooms across the border.

During the operations, officials inspected approximately 250 individuals and over 60 vehicles. The inspections resulted in seven recorded offenses, including littering, unauthorized vehicle entry into forest areas, and technical violations regarding vehicle condition. Authorities noted that the frequency of vehicles transporting foragers to the forest areas has decreased following these actions.

While the organized collection and export of mushrooms are not illegal under Polish law, which lacks specific harvest limits, the authorities focused on maintaining public order, verifying the legality of stays, and ensuring compliance with environmental and traffic regulations.