The lawyer told about the fines for collecting rare plants

Collecting rare plants in Russia can lead to serious fines or criminal penalties. Sofia Lukinova, head of the Legal department of VMT Consult, told Izvestia on March 11 about which plants are under protection and how to avoid responsibility for their collection.

Among the primroses that can be found in Moscow and the Moscow region are plants such as Anemone dubravnaya, liverwort noble, sleep grass (or open lumbago), lily of the valley of the May and Venus slipper. Previously, these plants were quite common, but their population has noticeably decreased, including due to the collection of forest flower lovers.

According to Lukinova, for collecting a rare plant in the forest, you can get a fine from 2.5 to 5 thousand rubles. For organizations, the fine can be up to 1 million rubles (art. 8.35 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation), and officials can be fined from 15 to 20 thousand rubles. These measures apply to those who plucked the plant accidentally, without intent.

"However, a criminal penalty may be imposed for picking a flower. In particular, if the collection was intentionally carried out or a particularly valuable plant was destroyed. For example, if an incident occurs in a national park or other legally protected area. In Moscow and the Moscow Region, these are, for example, the Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve, where bison live, or the Losiny Ostrov National Park (of federal significance) and Zavidovo," the lawyer noted.

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As the expert emphasized, for the destruction of rare plant species, imprisonment for up to three years may be provided, and for the most valuable species, the punishment may increase to 9 years. If the plant is affected by the child's actions, all responsibility falls on the parents or guardians. In this case, the fine for non-fulfillment of duties related to the maintenance and upbringing of minors will range from 500 to 2 thousand rubles.

The lawyer also recalled that new rules for the treatment of rare plant species listed in the Red Federal and regional Books will come into force on September 1, 2026. Removal of such plants from natural habitats will be possible only with the permission of Rosprirodnadzor, for example, for scientific research.

"Thus, developers whose activities will affect the habitat of rare plants are required to transplant these plants to another location or collect seeds to restore the population level. If a summer resident sees a rare plant on his property, he is not obliged to replant it, but it will be forbidden to transfer or sell the plant," Lukinova concluded.

On March 10, Lukinova reported that land owners could face serious fines if they did not take measures to destroy the Sosnovsky hogweed. According to her, the fight against this plant is now considered by the state as an important environmental task. Sosnovsky's hogweed is an aggressive invasive species that spreads rapidly and displaces native vegetation. In addition, the plant is dangerous to humans and animals: its juice can cause severe skin burns, especially when exposed to sunlight.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.