WO2003003819A1

WO2003003819A1 - Portable livestock container

Info

Publication number: WO2003003819A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/003070
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Laidlow; John Boyd; Thomas Copland
Original assignee: Laidlow, Gordon, Thomas; Laidlow, Sarah, Ruth
Priority date: 2001-07-03
Filing date: 2002-07-03
Publication date: 2003-01-16
Also published as: GB0116241D0; GB2393631B; GB0401809D0; GB2393631A

Abstract

A portable livestock container (1) having access gates (15, 16) on separate sidewalls is described. Placement of two or more containers with the gates aligned allows the transfer of livestock from adjacent containers or external areas. Described embodiments include internal pen arrangements for manipulation and isolation of livestock, and means for ensuring minimum spacing between the adjacent containers.

Description

Livestock Handling System

The present invention relates to a system for handling livestock, and more particularly a system suitable for the transport of livestock by marine vessel.

Live animals are routinely transported at sea by a variety of methods. For example, sheep and cattle are regularly imported/exported from the British Isles to the Continent, or transported from rural islands to the mainland to markets or abattoirs. Often, the animals are held within pen arrangements on purpose built vessels, or on road trucks held on roll-on roll-off vessels.

Recent changes in public perception, and the law, require that a greater emphasis is placed on animal welfare en route. That is, it is important that the animals are not submitted to undue stress during transportation.

One way of reducing animal stress is to reduce the handling time. In present systems, the livestock is transported to the quayside area by road or rail, and then must be transferred into pens or other lairage by the stockmen or animal handlers. When the vessel is ready for the loading of the animals, the stockmen must once again drive the livestock from the on-shore lairage into the pen arrangements on the boat. The upheaval involved in this two-step transfer process, causes the animals to become stressed and excitable, and increases the likelihood of injury. In addition, the livestock is afforded only a short time to settle into their surroundings at each point, again increasing the stress of the animals.

In the case of road trucks held on roll-on roll-off vessels, the conditions are often not of a satisfactory standard.

An additional requirement for the livestock transportation systems, is that for long journeys they operate under "neutral time status", as defined by current guidelines. Neutral time is the term applied to time that does not count as part of the animals journey time. This is achieved in the situation that the animals are offered access to both food and water.

Providing the livestock with food and water en route is a problem for many prior transport systems, and thus neutral time status can be difficult to achieve. This has implications for farmers/traders who wish to transport animals from/to remote communities.

Although purpose built vessels are often used for the transportation of livestock on major routes, it is not always feasible for purpose built vessels to be used in rural communities such as the islands of the North Sea, due to the volume they are required to carry to make running costs feasible. In addition, the demands of the market are such that a farmer may be required to transport a relatively small number of livestock at one time. Accordingly, it is often necessary to transport livestock on standard ro-ro (roll-on, roll-off) vessels alongside other vehicles and passengers. Thus, it is evident that the livestock handling system must minimise health and safety risks to both personnel and the public. Perhaps equally as important is the need to increase public confidence in the way that livestock is handled.

A further requirement of current health and safety and animal welfare regulations is the ability to isolate a sick animal from the rest of the herd, so that it may be more easily monitored and cared for. The current systems offer no practical solution to this problem of animal isolation.

It would therefore be desirable to obviate, or at least mitigate some of the problems of prior art transportation systems.

It is one aim of the invention to reduce the level of handling of animals in transit. It is a second aim of the invention to provide a livestock handling system that operates under neutral time status, as defined by current regulations. It is a third aim of the invention to provide a livestock handling system that enables the sick animal to be isolated quickly and easily. It is a fourth aim of the invention to provide the flexible and adaptable livestock handling system. It is a fifth aim of the invention to provide a livestock handling system able to address the requirements of exporters within current legislation in an efficient manner.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable livestock container comprising: a platform formed from a transportation cassette; a first deck formed on the platform; a plurality of vertical walls around the perimeter of the platform; a first gate located at a first wall, and a second gate located at a second wall.

Preferably, said second wall opposes said first wall. Each of first and second walls may be provided with two gates.

The portable livestock container may comprise a second deck supported directly above the first deck. . The second deck maybe supported by a plurality of upright members.

The second deck is preferably provided with a plurality of vertical walls around the perimeter of the platform; a first gate located at the first wall, and a second gate located at the second wall, said second wall opposing said first wall.

Preferably, the second gates are aligned with the first gates.

Each deck may be subdivided into a plurality of pens. Preferably, the division is made by pivoting gates. Each deck may comprise a drainage system for removing effluent from the deck.

Preferably, the drainage system comprises at least one tank for storing the effluent removed from the deck. The tanks are preferably fixed to the side of the ^• transportation cassette.

The drainage system may also comprise a false floor having holes formed therein, and guttering for directing the flow from beneath the false floor to the side walls of the container.

The drainage system may comprise at least one duct for the flow of effluent from the upper deck to the tanks. The duct may be formed within the upright support members.

The container may comprise a ventilation unit. The container may further comprise means for providing food and water to the livestock held within the container.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable livestock container comprising: a platform formed from a transportation cassette; a first deck formed on the platform; a plurality of vertical walls around the perimeter of the platform; and at least one tank for storing effluent removed from the deck, said tank being formed to protrude from a first side of the container, thereby ensuring a minimum clearance distance between a first wall and an adjacent vertical body. Preferably, the container comprises a pair of tanks, one formed on each side of the container, thereby ensuring a minimum clearance distance between each side wall of the container and an adjacent vertical body.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a row of portable livestock containers, each portable livestock container comprising: a platform formed from a transportation cassette; a first deck formed on the platform; a plurality of vertical walls around the perimeter of the platform; a first gate located at a first wall, and a second gate located at a second wall, said second wall opposing said first wall; wherein the second gate of one container is aligned with the first gate of an adjacent container, to allow livestock to pass between adjacent containers.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a gate arrangement for a livestock handling area comprising: - a perimeter wall having at least one livestock access point formed therein - a first gate assembly pivotally mounted at a point adjacent to the livestock access point; - a second gate pivotable between a first position and a second position, - wherein in the first position, the second partially defines a livestock pen, and in the second position, the second gate, in conjunction with the first gate assembly, partially defines a walkway for guiding livestock from the livestock access point to a location in the livestock handling area. Preferably, the second gate partially defines a boundary between a livestock pen and a stockman access area when in said first position.

Alternatively, the second gate may partially define a boundary between a livestock pen and a further livestock pen when in said first position.

There may be provided a third gate pivotable between a first position and a second position, the first position being such that the gate partially defines a boundary between the stockman access area and a livestock pen, and the second position being such that the gate lies substantially adjacent the perimeter wall.

Preferably, the third gate covers a stockman access point when in said second position.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a livestock handling area comprising a plurality of gate arrangements of the fourth aspect.

Optionally, the livestock handling area is a portable livestock container.

There will now be described by way of example only, an embodiment of the invention with reference to the following drawings, wherein:

Figure la shows a transportation cassette as is conventional in the art; Figure lb shows a livestock container according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the internal layout of a pair of livestock containers according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 3a and 3b show a plan view of three livestock containers according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 4a and 4b show how the livestock containers may be loaded onto a vessel.

Figure 5 shows a livestock container according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 shows a gate arrangement according to one aspect of the invention.

Figure 7 shows example centre pen configurations within the gate arrangement of Figure 6.

Figure 8 shows a gate arrangement in accordance with an alternative aspect of the invention.

Figure 9 shows an example pen configuration within the gate arrangement of Figure 8.

Figure la shows a transportation cassette 1. The cassette 1 comprises a platform 2 and side-support members 3a, 3b for elevating the platform above the ground. The cassette system has been adopted by North Sea operates to move cargo such as steel and paper reels, from Scandinavia to ports in Europe, including the UK. The cargo is loaded upon the platform 2, and typically, a hydraulically elevated bogie, powered by an adapted terminal tractor, raises the cassette and moves it to the desired location.

Such transportation cassettes form the basis for the portable livestock container of the present invention. Figure lb shows the livestock container generally depicted as 10 formed on top of an adapted cassette 1. The container, is made chiefly of steel. The container shown is a two-deck container with upper deck 21 being mounted directly above lower deck 11. Lower deck 11 is provided with four vertical walls around its perimeter. Walls 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d have a watertight seal, to a specified height, to prevent the leakage of effluent. Similarly, upper deck 21 is provided with vertical walls 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d around its perimeter. Again, vertical walls provide a watertight seal with the deck to prevent leakage of effluent.

Vertical walls are supported by upright members 13. These upright members also support the upper deck 21 and container cover 14.

Wall 12a is provided with gate 15 for the entry of livestock. The gate is formed from two swinging doors hinged at 16. Additional hinges are provided in the central doors such that the open door may fold back on itself, thereby reducing the protruding distance from the side of the container. An identical door 15c is provided in opposing wall 12c, as can best be viewed in Figure 2. Upper deck 21 is provided with identical doors 25a and 25c.

Between vertical walls 12a, 12c and upper deck 21, there is provided a gap 17. Gap 17 allows a stockman walking along the top of tank 19a to view the livestock along the complete length of the container.

Figure lb shows an equivalent gap 27 between the walls on the upper deck and the container cover. In order that the stockman may view the livestock on the upper deck, the container is provided with fold down platforms 24a, 24b, 24c. The platforms are hinged along the bottom edge so that in transit, they may be folded against the side of the container. When the container is safely loaded upon a vessel, the platforms may be folded down to provide a walkway for a stockman, enabling him to view the livestock. A ladder may be provided to provide the stockman with easy access to the walk ways on the upper platforms. Again, wall 22c is provided with identical walkways.

Livestock container 10 is additionally provided with saddle tanks 19a, 19c. These saddle tanks are welded to the side-support members running alongside the cassette 1. The tanks work in conjunction with a drainage system provided on deck 11 for the removal and storage of effluent from the deck. The drainage system typically comprises a false floor with a number of holes for the passage of fluids from the deck into guttering beneath. The guttering is configured to direct the flow of effluent to the side of the container, where it will pass through inlets into the storage tanks 19a or 19b. A similar guttering system is provided on the upper deck 21. In order to allow the removal and storage of effluent from the upper deck, the upright members 13 are provided with internal ducts. These ducts run from the side of deck 21, then down the upright member and into the storage tank 19a, 19c. These ducts may be provided in all of the upright members if necessary, or just one or two of the upright members may be dedicated to drainage purposes.

Tanks 19a, 19c are cylindrical in shape, and are provided with rectangular external casing, with the outermost wall of the tank running parallel to the side of the container. The tanks are also provided with outlets, which when unplugged, allow the contents of the tank to be drained.

The storage tanks and drainage system described above, allow the removal of effluent from the deck and pen regions, thereby increasing the hygiene levels of the livestock container. In addition, the system allows an empty container to be efficiently and effectively cleaned, for example, by hosing down the decks and draining the cleaning fluid from the tanks. A further benefit of the tank arrangement is that it acts as a convenient walkway for a stock man who wishes to view the livestock along the length of the lower deck 11. Yet further, the protruding tanks provide an ideal guideline and spacer for the positioning of the livestock containers, either on the deck of a vessel, or on the quayside. As an alternative to the above-described drainage system, the container may be provided with a sealed deck arrangement. In this type of arrangement, effluent will be held in a channel or recess at the side of the container. During the course of the voyage, absorbent bedding material will be provided in order to soak up the effluent.

An additional feature of the livestock container in Figure lb, is the provision of the ventilation units at each end of the container. A ventilation unit 28 has grills on the external surface of the container, and ducts on the internal wall at deck 11. An equivalent unit is placed at the opposing end of the container. Each ventilation unit is capable of expelling air into the container, and drawing air from the container. In this way, the unit is able to provide a complete circulation of air within the lower deck 11.

In order to circulate the air on the upper deck 21, the upright members in the container are provided with internal airflow ducts. These ducts run from the ventilation unit to inlets/outlets adjacent to the upper deck 21.

Ventilation units would ideally be such that they could completely replace the volume of air through deck 11 and upper deck 21 up to 30 times in one hour. It is envisaged that only one ventilation unit would be in operation at any one given time. The second ventilation unit is intended to be backup of the first, rather than to work in parallel with it. In the present embodiment, the ventilation units are powered by the ship's electricity supply.

The air circulation system described above provides an effective way of meeting the ventilation requirements essential for the well being of the livestock. Importantly, the air circulation system is unit specific, that is, the air is circulated within each individual livestock container. In prior art systems, ventilation within the livestock carrying units depends wholly on the air circulation system within the vessel. Whilst the present system still requires that air is circulated within the vessel, the ventilation systems within each livestock container facilitates the circulation of air that the livestock experiences.

Alternative ventilation and duct arrangements could be provided within the scope of the invention. For example, two or more fans could be mounted above each pen.

As described above, the tanks at each side of the container provide a minimum spacing between the container wall, and an adjacent container or a wall in the vessel/quayside. This also has an important consequence for air circulation, as it allows air to enter/leave from all around the unit.

The livestock containers are also provided with means to practically offer feed to the livestock in transit. Typically, this is by means of a rail and trough on the internal surface of walls 12a to d, 22a to d. Watering system is kept at a constant level by a pipe system incorporated into the container. The container comprises fresh water tanks, and plumbing running from the tanks to the troughs adjacent to decks 11, 21. A pressure system running from the supply of the ship, maintains the troughs at an appropriate level.

By including means to offer the livestock food and water, time spent within the livestock container is regarded as neutral time. That is, the time does not count as part of the animals' journey, thereby allowing the livestock to be transported more cost-effectively. Prior systems, which do not operate under neutral time status cause immense difficulties in rural areas, since the animals cannot be transported from the farm to the market within the time period allowed by the regulations.

Figure 2 shows the internal arrangement of the livestock containers in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The deck space within the container is divided into three pens 31a, 31b, 31c. The pens are divided by pivoted gates 32a, 32b. The gates may be opened to allow entry of the livestock into the pen, and closed to separate the animals into more manageable groups. The gates may be of any suitable type, as would be known to one skilled in the art. Opposite the main entrance gate 15a is additional gate 15c. The second container 1' is provided with identical gates 15a' and 15c' . When the two containers are adjacently placed, gate 15c aligns with 15a' , and the gates are opened to provide a passage from container 10 to container 10' . The folding gates form a barrier at either side of the passage, preventing the escape of the livestock into the intermediate space between the two containers. When the animals are driven onto the containers, the barriers defining the pens are positioned by the stockman so that the livestock is directed into the desired pen.

It would be evident to one skilled in the art that a variety of barrier arrangements can be used to define the pens within the container. Of course, the features of the barriers should be such that there are no sharp edges and the angles are chosen to avoid congestion and jamming of the livestock.

Upper decks 21 and 21' are each provided with identical gates and barrier arrangements. The passageway between the two upper decks is provided by the central fold down flaps 24b in conjunction with the folding gates 25. Optionally, the lower deck could be provided with similar drop down gates.

Figure 4a shows how the livestock may be driven onto a series of containers on the quayside. The containers are lined up in rows, and walkways are provided from the transporting lorry to the first container. An inclined walkway is provided to allow the livestock to be driven up to the level of the upper deck. The gates are opened so that the animals may pass from the first container, through to the second, into the third, and so on until the last container is reached. The barriers are arranged so that the animals may be positioned within the segmented pens as required. When the last container is full, the passage between it and the penultimate container is closed off. The penultimate container now becomes the last container, and the animals are positioned within the pens as before. The process is repeated until all the containers are full. When the vessel is ready for loading, the full containers can be raised and transported by the quayside tractors and loaded onto the boat. The containers are positioned on the vessel in rows and columns, as shown in Figure 4b. The containers are positioned as closely as the tanks will allow. The position of the tanks alongside the containers removes the need for accurately determining the spacing between the containers . The tanks are placed closely together, the spacing between the side walls of the containers is pre-determined to be approximately twice the protruding distance of the tanks.

Further, the way in which the livestock is loaded onto the containers at the quayside allows, if necessary, the containers to be loaded onto the vessel as soon as they are full. This may be before or during the process of loading the animals onto the other containers at the quayside.

A further advantage of the invention is that the livestock may be directly loaded into the livestock container from the transportation lorry used to bring the livestock from the market/farm. Thus, the settling time of the animals into their new surroundings commences very quickly after arrival at the quayside. Since the livestock containers are then transported onto the vessels, there is no requirement for the animals to be driven into new pens. This considerably reduces the handling time, and therefore the stress exposure to the livestock. Further, the animals are not subjected to a second stressful settling period. The advantage in building the livestock container upon transportation cassettes are already known in the art, can be clearly seen. Firstly, the cassettes are easy to come by and have all the structural properties required for this use. Secondly, the cassette system is compatible with existing equipment found at the quayside. In particular, the tractors used for raising the cassettes and transporting them around the quayside and onto the vessels are conventional in the art. Further, quayside personnel will be familiar with the techniques used in transporting such cassettes.

The livestock containers of the present invention will not require extensive modification of the quayside infrastructure. They can be safely and easily stored on concrete platforms at the quayside.

If necessary, the livestock can be held within the containers on the quayside for some time. The livestock containers according to the invention provide ideal on- shore layerage at the port of loading.

Figures 3a and 3b show the internal arrangements within the row of three livestock containers. These diagrams illustrate how the system may be used to isolate a sick animal located in one of the pens.

Figure 3a shows a row of three livestock containers, each divided into three pen regions. Pen regions are labelled (a) to (i) . Pens (a) to (d) and (f ) to (i) all contain a number of sheep. Pen (e) is left free to enable the reshuffling of the animals in the event of an animal being taken sick. Shown in pen (c) is sick sheep 35. In accordance with animal welfare regulations it is necessary to be able to isolate sheep 35 from the rest of the animals. Free pen e enables this to be carried out as follows. Gates 15c and 15a' are opened to allow animals in pen (b) to be encouraged to pass into pen c. Gate 15c' remains shut so that the animals may not pass deeper into the pen arrangement. When all of the sheep are in pen (e) , gate 15a' is closed behind them. Subsequently, sick sheep 35 is secured within pen (c) by any retaining means that meets animal welfare requirements. The barrier between pens (c) and (d) is then opened and the remaining sheep from pen (c) are encouraged to pass into pen (b) . When the sheep are in pen (b) the barrier is closed, leaving sick sheep 35 in isolation, as shown in Figure 3b.

It is evident that a variety of arrangements can be used within the present system to isolate one particular animal. For example, if two pens are left free, it is possible to place greater distance between the sick animal and the next livestock-containing pen. Alternatively, several free pens would allow the isolation of several animals if required.

Figure 5 shows the portable livestock container according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the container does not comprise a cover, as an embodiment of Figure lb.

Figure 6 shows a gate arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. This gate arrangement is suitable for use in the portable livestock container described above.

The gate arrangement comprises a fence or wall 61 defining the boundary to a livestock holding area 60. The arrangement also comprises a number of gates 62, 63, and 64.

Gates 64 are external doors, providing access to the livestock holding area from the external walkway that runs alongside the wall. The gates 64 are provided with hinges for mounting to the wall of the livestock holding area 60, and a second set of hinges for allowing the gate to fold down a vertical axis. This enables the gates to have a width that is greater than the distance between the wall 60 and an adjacent wall or other body, whilst still permitting the gate to be fully opened. As shown in the Figure, the gates, when opened, form part of a passageway for the transfer of livestock.

The livestock handling area is also provided with "v- notch" gates 63. These gates are pivotally mounted on the walls with suitable hinges. The gates are made of a suitable material, such as sheet steel, but are provided with windows for viewing the livestock within individual pens.

The v-notch gates 63 may also be provided with spring loaded escape gates (not shown) . These escape gates are inner, hinged gates, of lesser width than the main gate. At least the largest of the livestock is unable to pass through the escape gates, although a stockman may pass through. These escape gates allow the safe entry and exit of the stockman from the pens during loading and during the voyage, and also allow easy access for feeding and watering the animals.

At the wall of the livestock holding area 60, between the mountings for the v-notch gates, are openings. These openings allow a stockman to enter the v-notch region from outside the livestock holding area 60. Here, he may observe the livestock in any of the surrounding pens, via the windows in the v-notch gates.

The gate arrangement also comprises guide gates 62, pivoted adjacent to the external doors. These guide gates form part of a livestock passageway, as shown in configuration A in figure 6. One pair of guide gates is hinged together to form a double gate that pivots from one of the sidewalls. When not in use, these guide gates 62 can be stored flat against the sidewalls, as shown in configuration C of Figure 6.

Figure 6 also shows fixed posts 66, positioned within the livestock holding area 60. In this example, the posts comprise two upright supports and an intervening wall. The wall may optionally be provided with hatches for observation or ventilation purposes. In conjunction with the v-notch gates 63, the posts define boundaries to the pens.

The gates can be pivoted into different positions to create a variety of pen sizes and walkways.

Configuration B shows the two guide gates 62', 62'' displaced to form a walkway into the pen 65. This pen is defined by the sidewalls and end wall 61, v-notch gates 63, and post 66.

Guide gate 62' is displaced so that , it joins to the fixed post 66. Guide gate 62 ' ' is displaced so that it links with v-notch gate 63 ' ' , which has been pivoted in a clockwise direction. The v-notch gate 63' is also pivoted in a clockwise direction in order to block the opening in the sidewall. The guide gates therefore provide a curved walkway into the pen 65.

The provision of a curved walkway is an important feature of this embodiment of the invention. Research has shown that livestock are more comfortable moving along a curved race for number of reasons. For example, curved paths take advantage of the natural circling behaviour of cattle and sheep. In addition, the animals cannot see people and other moving objects at the end of the chute, and as the animals go around the curve, they think they are going back to where they came from.

It is important that the walkway is curved to the correct extent. If it is curved too sharply, the walkway may look like a dead end, and the livestock may refuse to enter. Furthermore, sharp angles may cause bruising of the livestock as they bump into the sides of the path.

The B configuration shown in Figure 6 has a suitably curved path for transferring animals to the pen 65. When the correct number of animals have entered the pen, v- notch gate 63' can be closed in order to retain the animals. Guide gates 62', 62'' can be folded against the sidewalls of the livestock holding area, or pivoted across the central area to provide a curved walkway for the transfer of animals to the right-hand pen. The guide gates can also be returned to the central walkway position to allow transfer of animals into configuration C.

The options for different pen sizes are manifold. The central region of the livestock holding area is particularly flexible, as the guide gates and the v-notch gates can be used to provide many different configurations. Some example centre pen configurations are shown in Figure 7.

Figure 8 shows a gate arrangement according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is similar to that shown in Figure 6, but has different hinging arrangements.

In contrast to Figure 6, guide gates 82 are not pivotally linked to one another. Rather, they have additional mountings provided in the central area of the livestock holding area. The guide gates are permanently hinged to the sidewalls, and may be attached to and detached from fixings in a central area.

The outer v-notch gates 83a of this embodiment are mounted such that they pivot from the sidewall of the livestock holding area. Inner v-notch gates 83b are mounted such that they pivot from a mounting in a central area of the livestock holding area.

As shown in Figure 8, the guide gates 82 are pivoted such that the livestock is directed towards the left-hand pen 85. The outer v-notch gate 83b is pivoted to link with the guide gate, thereby forming part of the inner wall of the curved race.

As before, some or all of the v-notch gates may comprise inner escape gates to allow a stockman to pass through. However, it can be seen from Figure 7 that this arrangement has a lower requirement for such escape gates, by virtue of apertures between several of the gates and adjacent barriers. These apertures are, for example, positioned between hinges of the inner v-notch gates 83b and the sidewalls, or between two diametrically opposed guide gates. The apertures are of a width such that a stockman is able to pass through, although at least the largest of the animals would not be able to pass.

Figure 9 shows the gate arrangement of Figure 8 configured in a different manner. Outer v-notch gates 83a can be pivoted to "square off" the end pens. In addition to providing a different pen configuration, this feature provides a walkway 91 for stockmen, adjacent to the central livestock walkway. As well as enabling the stockmen to pass though the livestock holding area from/to adjacent livestock holding areas, the stockmen may observe the livestock in the end pens and central pens from the walkway 91.

The arrangement of Figures 8 and 9 clearly offers many variations in pen configuration and size, and the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown herein. It will be evident to one skilled in the art that many modifications to the described system can be made within the scope of the invention. For example, the livestock container may comprise a single deck, rather than the twin deck structure shown Figure lb. A single deck structure may be suitable if a container is to be used in circumstances where height restrictions apply, such as if the unit is to be transported by rail. Alternatively, the livestock container may comprise three or more decks.

Furthermore, various modifications can be made to the fittings supplied on the container.

It is also envisaged that the embodiment described could be adapted to provide a self-contained, sealed-off transportation unit. Such a unit may be used for the transportation of quarantined or infected animals.

The present invention allows portable containers to be stored side by side, and provides adjoining passageways. This allows the isolation of one animal to be carried out in a practical way, in contrast to prior systems.

The zero handling characteristics within the journey elements that make up the quayside activities and the sea voyage, enable the animals to progress to their ultimate destination with a much reduced exposure to stress.

Further advantages are provided as follows:

• The modular orientated system will lend itself to flexibility and expandability, not just in vessel capability but also quayside infrastructure. • Stockmen have access to every pen to enable visual inspection and entry. • Reduced crew involvement . • The reduction of escape incidents • The ability to transport consignments on a pass through basis . • Animal waste containment in the side tanks.

Additional modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A portable livestock container comprising: a platform formed from a transportation cassette; a first deck formed on the platform; a plurality of vertical walls around the perimeter of the platform; a first gate located at a first wall, and a second gate located at a second wall.

2. A portable livestock container as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said second wall opposes said first wall.

3. A portable livestock container as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein each of first and second walls comprise two gates.

4. A portable livestock container as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a second deck supported directly above the first deck.

5. A portable livestock container as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the second deck is provided with a plurality of vertical walls around the perimeter of the platform; a first gate located at the first wall, and a second gate located at the second wall, said second wall opposing said first wall.

6. A portable livestock container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the second gates are aligned with the first gates.

7. A portable livestock container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each deck is subdivided into a plurality of pens .

8. A portable livestock container as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the division is made by pivoting gates.

9. A portable livestock container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each deck comprises a drainage system for removing effluent from the deck.

10. A portable livestock container as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the drainage system comprises at least one tank for storing the effluent removed from the deck.

11. A portable livestock container as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the drainage system also comprises a false floor having holes formed therein, and guttering for directing the flow from beneath the false floor to the sidewalls of the container.

12. A portable livestock container as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the drainage system comprises at least one duct for the flow of effluent from the upper deck to the tanks.

13. A portable livestock container as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the container further comprises a ventilation unit.

14. A portable livestock container as claimed in any preceding Claim wherein the container further comprises means for providing food and water to the livestock held within the container.

15. A portable livestock container comprising: a platform formed from a transportation cassette; a first deck formed on the platform; a plurality of vertical walls around the perimeter of the platform; and at least one tank for storing effluent removed from the deck, said tank being formed to protrude from a first side of the container, thereby ensuring a minimum clearance distance between a first wall and an adjacent vertical body.

16. A portable livestock container as claimed in Claim 15 comprising a pair of tanks, one formed on each side of the container, thereby ensuring a minimum clearance distance between each sidewall of the container and an adjacent vertical body.

17. A row of portable livestock containers, each portable livestock container comprising: a platform formed from a transportation cassette; a first deck formed on the platform; a plurality of vertical walls around the perimeter of the platform; a first gate located at a first wall, and a second gate located at a second wall, said second wall opposing said first wall; wherein the second gate of one container is aligned with the first gate of an adjacent container, to allow livestock to pass between adjacent containers.

18. A gate arrangement for a livestock handling area comprising: - a perimeter wall having at least one livestock access point formed therein - a first gate assembly pivotally mounted at a point adjacent to the livestock access point; - a second gate pivotable between a first position and a second position, - wherein in the first position, the second partially defines a livestock pen, and in the second position, the second gate, in conjunction with the first gate assembly, partially defines a walkway for guiding livestock from the livestock access point to a location in the livestock handling area.

19. A gate arrangement as claimed in Claim 18 wherein the second gate partially defines a boundary between a livestock pen and a stockman access area when in said first position.

20. A gate arrangement as claimed in Claim 18 wherein the second gate partially defines a boundary between a livestock pen and a further livestock pen when in said first position.

21. A gate arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 20 comprising a third gate pivotable between a first position and a second position, the first position being such that the gate partially defines a boundary between the stockman access area and a livestock pen, and the second position being such that the gate lies substantially adjacent the perimeter wall.

22. A gate arrangement as claimed in Claim 21 wherein the third gate covers a stockman access point when in said second position.

23. A livestock handling area comprising a plurality of gate arrangements as claimed in Claim 18.

24. A gate arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 18 to 22 wherein the livestock handling area is a portable livestock container.