BRITISH VETERINARY Association president Simon Doherty has been appointed to the Board of Trustees for international development charity ‘Send a Cow’ – which helps smallholder families in Africa build on their farming and business skills.

With over 20 years’ experience working in the veterinary sector, Mr Doherty brings a wealth of professional and personal experience to the board. He will be involved in overseeing the proper governance of the organisation and its vision, mission, values and strategic direction.

As a veterinary surgeon with a keen interest in global livestock health, welfare and preventative medicine, Mr Doherty explained that he was naturally drawn to the remit of the charity and their practical approach to farm training: “Part of my interest in Send a Cow is their back-to-basics approach to sustainable agriculture, ensuring that cattle are well looked after and productive, and using manure and urine from livestock to enrich soil so that families can grow food to eat and sell. I have seen for myself how this very practical approach to farming is transforming lives; I regularly describe Send a Cow’s work to colleagues as a prime example of ‘One Health in action’.”

The BVA president has previously visited projects in Ethiopia and Kenya and has been a volunteer ambassador for Send a Cow since 2013, regularly highlighting the good work they do to community groups and schools.

“I have been involved with Send a Cow for many years,” he conceded. “I hope that through my appointment to the Board of Trustees I can help continue to raise awareness around the charity’s fantastic work, building on my previous experience as an Ambassador and on the UK Advisory Board, using my networks in the veterinary and agricultural sector."