AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - A Maine bill that could restrict food foragers’ ability to gather wild food on other people’s property is up for a potential vote.
The Legislature’s Committee On Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry is scheduled to consider the proposal on Tuesday. The initial proposal would prohibit harvesting food without permission of the property owner, but it will likely be revised.
Republican Sen. Thomas Saviello says he plans to amend the proposal to set limits on how much could be foraged without permission. He says he’s concerned about wild pickers who gather large amounts of food for a commercial operation without permission.
Many foragers of mushrooms and fiddleheads have spoken out against the proposal. They cite Maine’s long tradition of leaving negotiations between landowners and hunters and foragers to the parties involved.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.