Dr Andy Catley was today (Saturday) announced as the winner of the Trevor Blackburn Award in recognition of the dedication and professionalism he has shown to the strengthening of veterinary services in developing countries over the past two decades. The announcement came during the Awards Ceremony at the British Veterinary Association’s Annual Congress in Cardiff.
Much of Dr Catley’s work has been at the interface between animal health, poverty reduction and humanitarian crises, particularly in remote and conflict-affected areas. His research on primary veterinary services and the development of novel community-based animal health and disease surveillance systems has influenced policies and approaches to the supply of veterinary services globally.
As well as leading the production of the first comprehensive guide to community-based veterinary services (now the ‘standard textbook’ on these approaches in marginalised parts of the developing world), Dr Catley initiated a global collaborative effort to develop a set of international standards for livestock-related interventions in humanitarian disasters: these have become known as the Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards (LEGS).
The impact of his work has been felt by hundreds of thousands of poor livestock keepers who have had their livelihoods improved through the production and productivity gained from healthier stock, access to prompt and effective disease surveillance and outbreak response and, indeed, the human lives saved through more effective humanitarian response to disasters.
Currently Research Director, Feinstein International Center, Tufts University, Andy Catley is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, focusing on livelihoods-based approaches to humanitarian practice and policy. He is also Clinical Associate Professor, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine (Tufts) and Adjunct Assistant Professor, Tufts University School of Medicine.
Notes for editors
1. This Award was instigated in 2006 by the BVA’s Overseas Group in memory of Mr J Trevor Blackburn, President of the BVA 1984-85, the Commonwealth Veterinary Association 1988-91 and the World Veterinary Association 1991-95. In so doing, the Group was mindful of the countless numbers of British veterinary surgeons who have served overseas, especially in the Tropics, over the last two centuries. Many of those in the earlier days were in the colonial service or, later, worked with government departments or aid organisations in newly independent countries. All contributed to the control of livestock disease and the raising of standards of animal and human health. The situation today is rather different. British veterinary surgeons do live and work overseas but many are “volunteers” and often sacrifice much in order to contribute to animal health and environmental needs in other, less fortunate, parts of the world. Often their altruism does not receive the acclaim it deserves. The Trevor Blackburn Award, named after a colleague who believed passionately that the profession still has so much to offer, provides an opportunity to recognise some of these people.
2. The Award comprises a certificate and a piece of African artwork
3. The BVA Overseas Group’s citation (including biographical information) for Dr Andy Catley
4. Information on the Livestock Emergency Guidelines and Standards (LEGS) is available from the LEGS website
5. For further information and for high resolution versions of the photographs please contact the BVA press office