Tyrol mountain patrol seizes more than 50 kilograms of mushrooms

The Tirol Mountain Watch seized more than 50 kilograms of mushrooms from unauthorised pickers near Steinach am Brenner and Gries am Brenner on Saturday, ORF reported. Two Italian mushroom collectors were found at Tienzens, at the entrance to the Navistal valley, while others were caught near Nösslach and at the entrance to the Obernberg valley in Vinaders and Egg.

The two Italian collectors were allowed to keep only four kilograms of the 36 kilograms they had gathered. The mushrooms will be served to residents of a nursing home in Steinach.

The Mountain Watch collected 600 euros in fines and security payments, including a 360-euro security payment from the two Italians. Günther Eiter, head of the Steinach and surrounding area unit, said finds of this size were no longer an everyday occurrence.

Eiter estimated that between 500 and 800 kilograms of mushrooms are currently being taken across the border to Italy each day.