39Slaughtermen to be licensed
(1)Subject to subsection (2) below, no animal to which section 36 above applies shall be slaughtered or stunned in a slaughterhouse or knacker's yard by any person except in accordance with a licence granted by a local authority and in force under this section.
(2)Subsection (1) above shall not apply with respect to the slaughter, under the [1950 c. 36.] Diseases of Animals Act 1950, of an animal by an officer of, or a person employed by, the Minister.
(3)Any person who slaughters or stuns, or attempts to slaughter or stun, any animal in contravention of subsection (1) above shall be guilty of an offence, unless he proves that by reason of an accident or other emergency the contravention was necessary for preventing physical injury or suffering to any person or animal.