(1) The Minister may in his or her discretion award, for the compulsory slaughter of any animal under the provisions of this Act, compensation which shall be payable out of general revenue. The amount of any such compensation shall not exceed the value of the animal immediately before slaughter, and compensation may be reduced or refused where the owner or the person having charge of the animal, in the opinion of the Minister, committed, in relation to the animal, an offence against this Act.