UKTC Archive

Jon- The term 'funga' is not claimed as a 'kingdom' any more than flora and 
fauna are. The woman on the program gave a presentation in the arb. 
Association fungus symposium a few months ago. It's all about getting fungi 
included in legislation which has previously been limited to protecting 
'flora and fauna'; 


Jerry

I haven't had a chance to listen/watch any programmes but you may be 
interested to know that whilst Science may have moved on, the law has not: it 
is not restricted to flora and fauna but does appear to use all embracing 
terms animals and plants.

My copy of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Schedule 8 lists "Plants 
which are protected". These include a section on Non Vascular Plants, 5 of 
which are fungi (including the oak polypore) and around 29 are lichens.

Whilst s.13 defines  what is prohibited (pick, uproot, destroy and 
selling/advertising the sale) and this looks more plant than fungus focused, 
the reality of how law as a tool works has to be taken into account. If the 
fungus is well and truly inbedded in substrate it seems unlikely that someone 
picking a toadstool could be prosecuted for destroying a fungus. Picking yes 
and selling/advertising yes.

So why aren't more fungal species on the list? The JNCC is responsible for 
updating the list (s.24(1), every 5 years apparently). It's up to them as to 
what is on the list. The law does not prevent the list getting longer. 
Perhaps politicians might but we don't know that.

Jon




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