CIVIC chiefs are supporting plans to launch a major blitz on commercial gangs who are stripping the New Forest of edible mushrooms.

The National Park Authority (NPA) has thrown its backing behind a campaign by the Forestry Commission to prevent fungi filchers cashing in on the demand from posh hotels and restaurants.

But one member warned that the tough stance could lead to conflict.

Ken Thornber, a former leader of Hampshire County Council, said he was worried about the “capacity” of the Forestry Commission to tackle the issue.

He referred to a recent speech by Commission boss Bruce Rothnie in which he said staff would approach people suspected of taking part in commercial picking and seize their haul.

Cllr Thornber said: “In the words ‘confiscate hoards’ lie the seeds of conflict.

“What back up will the Forestry Commission have if they confront commercial organisations, who may not be the most ethical of people?”

But Paul Walton, the NPA’s head of environment and rural economy, said police had pledged to provide the Commission with any necessary support.

He added: “The Commission has done this sort of thing before and Mr Rothnie seems confident in the ability of his staff to do the work.

“He has been assured that he will get support from the police if needed.”

NPA chairman Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre added: “It’s excellent that the Forestry Commission has publicly committed itself to severely disrupting commercial picking, which is being carried out on a vast scale.

“Similar measures have been very successful in Epping Forest, where mushrooms are confiscated and destroyed in front of the people who picked them.

“If we can replicate that in the New Forest it will be very good news.”

A report to members said wild mushrooms were attracting three groups of people – those gathering fungi for their own use, leaders of organised forays and commercial pickers.

It added: “Large-scale commercial picking deprives others of the opportunity to see and enjoy the fungi in its natural state.

“A concerted attempt to disrupt the large-scale commercial picking will remove the financial reward from the major beneficiaries - those sell the harvested fungi.”

NPA member David Harrison added: “Large scale commercial picking has focused attention on whether we can turn a blind eye to what’s going on and I don’t think we can.

"Fungi is an intrinsic part of the Forest and makes it a wonderful place to visit.”

Residents and visitors to the Forest are allowed to pick 1.5kg of mushrooms per person per day.

Commercial picking is banned but gangs are said to be plundering the area on an “industrial” scale.