Prohibition of stunning except by licensed slaughter men

(1) No animal shall be slaughtered or stunned in a slaughterhouse or knacker’s yard by any person who is not the holder of a licence granted by the Minister, Provided that this subsection shall not apply with respect to the slaughter of any animal under the provisions of the Belize Agricultural Health Authority Act, Cap. 211. 6 (2) The Minister may grant a licence to any person of the age of eighteen years or upwards who is, in his opinion, a fit and proper person to hold such a licence. (3) A licence under this section shall be in force for such period not exceeding three years as may be specified therein and may be renewed from time to time at the discretion of the Minister. (4) A licence shall be produced on demand for inspection by any authorised officer. (5) The Minister may suspend the operation of a licence at any time for such period as he may determine and, where he is satisfied that the person is no longer a fit and proper person to hold a licence, may revoke the licence. (6) A fee of ten dollars shall be charged for each such licence and a like fee for every renewal thereof. (7) Any licence granted under this section shall specify, (a) the kind of animals which may be slaughtered or stunned by the holder of the licence; and (b) the types of instrument which may be used by him for slaughtering or stunning any such and may be granted subject to a condition prohibiting the slaughtering of any animal in pursuance of the licence except under the supervision of a person being the holder of a licence in force under this section which is not subject to a like condition. (8) The Minister may make regulations to provide for, (a) the humane slaughter of animals and the supervision thereof; and 7 (b) the handling of animals in preparation for their slaughter, including their transportation and confinement. (9) There may be annexed to the breach of any regulations made under this section a penalty not exceeding five hundred dollars and in the case of a continuing offence a further penalty not exceeding fifty dollars for every day the breach continues. (10) Notwithstanding any penalty imposed under subsection (9) of this section, the Minister may suspend or revoke the licence of any person acting in contravention of any regulation.