• Green Glow
  • Posts
  • 🌱 Airport Pollution Blamed for Lamb Loss: A Farmer's Devastating Story 😢🐑

🌱 Airport Pollution Blamed for Lamb Loss: A Farmer's Devastating Story 😢🐑

A Leicestershire farmer blames East Midlands Airport for water pollution that caused 25 of his ewes to lose unborn lambs. Learn how airport runoff and de-icing chemicals may be harming livestock and local ecosystems.

Author

Green Glow
May 12, 2025

In the quiet pastures of Leicestershire, England, a devastating incident has shaken a farming family and sparked a legal confrontation. David Thornley, a pedigree livestock breeder with over 20 years of experience, claims that polluted water from East Midlands Airport poisoned his flock — causing 25 of his 100 ewes to lose their unborn pedigree lambs in early 2022.

Thornley’s accusations have ignited fresh scrutiny over how airports handle their environmental responsibilities, particularly regarding chemical runoff during the winter months.

Table of Contents

The Suspected Source: Diseworth Brook

The controversy centers on Diseworth Brook, a watercourse that runs through Thornley’s rented grazing land. In January 2022, veterinary scans revealed an unusually high miscarriage rate among his ewes. Troubled by the results, Thornley investigated the brook and was met with a foul smell and visible contamination.

He and his son discovered “black sludge” flowing from a pipe beneath the airport’s balancing ponds — and the water downstream was coated in a brown, slimy substance, later suspected to be sewage fungus. Further water testing revealed bacterial contamination, rendering it unsafe for livestock.

Airport Admits Permit Breach — But Denies Responsibility

In April 2025, East Midlands Airport pleaded guilty to environmental permit breaches related to the discharge of contaminated water from its holding ponds in January and February 2022. However, the airport denies any link between these discharges and the bacterial contamination found in Diseworth Brook.

A spokesperson for the airport emphasized that the pollutants in Thornley’s samples were more consistent with sewage than with propylene glycol, the main de-icing chemical used by the airport.

“The issues he raises do not form any part of the evidence in the case,” the airport stated. “We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously.”

A Farmer’s Loss Beyond Numbers

For Thornley, the consequences go far beyond water quality tests or permit violations. His pedigree breeding program, honed over decades, suffered an irreplaceable setback. Losing 25% of his embryo transfers — compared to the typical 2-3% — was not only financially damaging but emotionally crushing.

“You can’t replace those bloodlines overnight,” Thornley said. “It’s tens of years of breeding and investment.”

He is now seeking £50,000 in compensation and has vowed to keep his livestock away from the brook during de-icing season — even though this means additional land costs, which the airport previously covered but has since discontinued.

Expert Warnings: De-Icing Chemicals and Sewage Fungus

According to researchers and former Environment Agency (EA) staff, Thornley’s experience is part of a wider environmental concern.

Dr. Ben Exton, a Bangor University researcher, likens the effect of de-icing chemicals on river ecosystems to “a flood of fast food” for bacteria. The chemicals feed sewage fungus, which blankets riverbeds, deprives water of oxygen, and threatens aquatic life.

“It’s been going on for years,” Exton said. “It’s really difficult to treat because the pollution comes in waves.”

Gary Cyster, a retired EA fisheries inspector, criticized the agency for not pursuing charges linking airport runoff to large plumes of sewage fungus in the River Trent, which is home to rare fish like the spined loach and bullhead.

Cyster highlighted a regulatory gap: East Midlands Airport is the only major UK airport without a defined limit on biological oxygen demand (BOD) in its river discharges.

Though the Environment Agency initially asked Thornley to provide evidence in their case, they dropped his testimony after the airport unexpectedly entered guilty pleas to some charges. The agency has declined to comment further until sentencing in July 2025.

Critics argue that the EA’s case failed to address the broader ecological damage caused by airport operations. With the airport continuing to expand under the East Midlands Freeport plan, local environmental advocates are pushing for stricter monitoring and modern wastewater treatment systems.

Conclusion

For David Thornley, the fight is far from over. Though sympathetic meetings and partial support from the airport once gave him hope, unanswered letters and a breakdown in communication have left him distrustful and determined.

He now avoids the brook during the winter discharge period, absorbing the cost himself to protect what remains of his prized flock.

This story is more than a personal tragedy — it’s a warning about the invisible cost of pollution, the limits of regulation, and the lives — human and animal — affected by environmental negligence.

FAQs

What caused the loss of David Thornley’s lambs?

Thornley believes the loss was due to his ewes drinking from a brook contaminated by a chemical leak from East Midlands Airport, specifically polluted runoff containing de-icing agents.

Did the airport admit to polluting the brook?

East Midlands Airport pleaded guilty to breaching environmental permits related to contaminated water discharges but denies any connection to the specific pollution that affected Thornley's land.

What are de-icing chemicals and why are they harmful?

Airports use chemicals like propylene glycol to de-ice runways and aircraft. These substances can promote bacterial growth in rivers, depleting oxygen levels and harming aquatic life — a condition often visible as sewage fungus.

Has the Environment Agency taken action?

Yes, the Environment Agency brought charges against the airport for discharges into the River Trent, though it did not include Thornley’s case in its final evidence after early guilty pleas.

What kind of compensation is being sought?

David Thornley is seeking £50,000 in compensation for the loss of pedigree lambs and the long-term impact on his breeding program.

You May Also Like

Sponsored Links