12Removal or destruction of vegetation on land adjoining woods.
1
Where the Ministry is satisfied that, by reason of the presence of any vegetation on uncultivated land adjoining a wood or forest, the wood or forest is liable to be damaged by fire originating on the land the Ministry may serve on the occupier, or if the land is unoccupied on the owner, a notice in writing—
a
stating that the vegetation constitutes a potential danger to the wood or forest;
b
requesting that any vegetation growing on the part of the land within a distance of [F1 fifteen metres] from the boundary of the wood or forest be removed or destroyed within thirty days after the service of the notice.
2
If the occupier, or as the case may be the owner, does not comply with a notice served in accordance with sub-section (1) of this section the Ministry may authorise in writing a person to enter on the land within four months from the service of the notice, and remove or destroy any vegetation growing on the part of the land within a distance of [F1 fifteen metres] from the boundary of the wood or forest.
3
Where, pursuant to—
a
a notice served in accordance with sub-section (1) of this section; or
b
the power conferred by sub-section (2) of this section;
a person removes or destroys any vegetation growing on land within a distance of [F1 fifteen metres] from the boundary of a wood or forest, the provisions of section 7E of the Game Preservation Act (Northern Ireland), 1928 [1928 c.25] , shall not apply to that person.