Many of you ask us often about how to become skilled truffle hunters. Before delving into the topic (probably in another article), it is good to remember that the first step to be able to collect truffles in Italy is to obtain the appropriate identification card.
As stated by the Law, in order to be able to collect truffles outside their own land it is necessary to be in possession of this document. And the reasons behind this obligation are many, first of all to safeguard and protect truffles and nature from wild harvesting or inexperience of those people who are novice.
How do I get my badge?
To obtain the badge you must take and pass a specific exam. The document is valid for the whole national territory but in Itayly each region establishes different rules for the issue of the document, so it is good to look for information based on your region of residence.
Usually we can say that the steps are:
- Find your region’s Regional Office (UTR)
- Submit the application for the issue of the card with the appropriate documentation required
- Support and pass the examination of suitability for truffle research and collection
The Regional Territorial Office
As reported earlier, the first step is to contact your Territorial Office of Residence. Usually (always ask your UTR for information) you need to submit:
- the application for registration for the fitness test,
- receipt of payment of secretarial fees,
- the application for the issue of the card,
- a valid passport photo,
- 2 stamps from 16 €.
Once you have obtained the card, to renew it you just need to submit the application signed by you attaching it with new photo, two stamps from 16 € and expired card. If you are interested in a duplicate of the card, to be requested for example in case of loss, you must add a copy of the report of theft/ loss issued by the police.
We remind you that in Italy each region has its own specific laws, therefore we invite you to request all information at the relevant offices.
The costs of the examination
Once you have requested the information from the UTR and submitted the application for the card, you must take the final exam. Generally the topics to know concern the basic notions on the biology of the truffle, the recognition of the various species of truffle, the methods of research and collection and the legislative rules governing the sector
The costs to become a truffle hunter vary from region to region, as well as the years of validity of the card, which generally lasts 10 years. Usually, in addition to the payment of the two mandatory 16 € stamps, you must pay a fee to the regional treasury that varies depending on the territory of competence.
To conclude, the prices of the truffle card (which are variable from region to region) are composed of:
- any training course
- printing of photo cards
- compulsory stamps
- annual fee for the card
We remind you that in Italy each region has different rules also for the costs to be incurred, so we invite you again to request all information at the offices responsible.