Harvester

Truffle harvesting and trade in Croatia is regulated by several acts and regulations. Specifically, Nature Protection Act (Official Gazette 80/13), Forest Act (OG 140/05, 82/06, 129/08, 80/10, 124/10, 25/12, 68/12) – Decision of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia, 148/13), Regulation on Mushroom Protection (OG 34/02), Regulation on Forest Restructuring (OG 111/06 and 141/08) and the Regulation on Non-Wood Forest Products Usage.

The basic legal frame which regulated the harvesting and trade of truffles in Croatia is the Regulation on Mushroom Protection. It contains a list of rare and protected mushroom types as well as above-ground and underground species which can be harvested commercially. The Regulation on Mushroom Protection regulates who, when, in what way, in what quantities and with which qualifications can harvest and trade mushrooms. On one hand, an individual harvester can collect up to 0,1 kg of truffles per person for his/her personal use, while on the other, an individual commercial harvester can harvest 0,5 kg of truffles daily. Every individual harvester needs to pass an exam at the licensed institution (Local Open Colleges), all in collaboration with the Ministry of Nature and Environmental Protection (hereinafter: Ministry). After passing the exam, the harvester receives a harvesting license valid for a period of 10 years, and the person should carry it with him/her during harvesting. Private or legal entities dealing in purchasing or harvesting activities with the purpose of processing, trade or other activities have to previously obtain an approval from the Ministry. Such approval consequently defines the species and quantities which can be harvested for processing, trade and other activities, the time period for which the approval is issued and measures of nature protection which should be respected.

Source: Region of Istria, Administrative department for agriculture, forestry, hunting, fishery and water management, 2014.: Strategy for sustainable truffle harvesting in the Istrian Region.