Ukrainians can freely gather berries, mushrooms, nuts, medicinal herbs, and other natural resources in forests for their own needs without any permits. The only restriction: it is forbidden to pick or cut species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.
The situation changes when collection becomes commercial. For sale or other economic activity, a forest ticket is required – a special permit document.
When a forest ticket is indispensable
This document is necessary for the following types of forest use:
harvesting mushrooms, berries, nuts, and medicinal plants for sale;
timber harvesting;
grazing livestock;
placement of apiaries;
haymaking;
using the forest for tourism, sports, or recreation;
conducting scientific research.
How to obtain a permit
To obtain a forest ticket, you need to contact a branch of the State Enterprise "Forests of Ukraine" or a local forestry. The application should indicate the type of resource, the planned volume of harvesting, the location of the work, and other information provided by the procedure.
After reviewing the application, details for paying the rent are provided. The ticket is issued only after confirmation of payment. The document is issued annually, taking into account established limits, and contains the type of resource, the permitted volume, the harvesting area, the amount of the rent, and the total amount payable.
Responsibility for violations
Unauthorized collection without the necessary permit or in prohibited areas can lead to administrative, civil, and in some cases, criminal liability.
According to Article 70 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses, the amounts of fines are as follows:
for citizens – from 17 to 51 UAH;
for officials – from 51 to 119 UAH.
The same sanctions are provided for non-compliance with established harvesting deadlines. In addition to the fine, the violator may be obliged to compensate for damages caused to the forestry.
Thus, a one-time trip to the forest for personal consumption does not require any documents. Problems arise only when the collected items are planned to be sold or used in economic activity without the appropriate permit.
Source: Dnipro Operatyvnyi
