WOODLAND bosses have been accused of launching a misleading attempt to prevent people from picking mushrooms in the New Forest.

The Forestry Commission has come under fire from professional forager Daniel Butler, who claims it is wrongly trying to stop people taking part in a harmless and lawful activity that cannot be banned.

He spoke out following the commission’s decision to install scores of red signs saying harvesting is “not allowed on any scale”.

The commission has responded by confirming that non-commercial mushroom picking is not illegal, adding that the new campaign is simply “appealing to people’s better nature”.

Mr Butler, who lives in Wales, said: “We should be fighting to protect an ancient right, not supporting bureaucrats who are trying to ban a harmless pastime fosters an interest in nature.

“Mushroom picking is like blackberry picking. Everyone would laugh the Forestry Commission out of the room if they were to suggest that the WI should be stopped from collecting blackberries in case it damaged the brambles.”

The new campaign was launched earlier this year after it was revealed that commercial pickers were stripping the Forest of fungi.

But Mr Butler said the problem of commercial harvesting had been exaggerated.

The commission’s head of recreation and public affairs, Tim Oliver, added: “We are not seeking to prosecute people who are just picking fungi for themselves – it is not illegal.

“We are appealing to people’s better nature, encouraging visitors to see the bigger picture.

“Our main aim is to tackle the commercial collection of fungi, which has always been prohibited.”

Commercial picking has been outlawed for several years but people were allowed to continue collecting mushrooms for their own use.

Earlier this year the officials appeared to ban all fungi foraging, other than educational expeditions.

Speaking at the time a commission spokesman said: “Due to the growing concern from conservation bodies and the very real fears expressed by members of the local community, the Forestry Commission is no longer permitting picking on any scale.”

The spokesman said action would be taken against anyone who “persistently” flouted the new no-picking rule.