THE National Farmers' Union has appealed for more flexibility from the Government in the wake of one Dales sheep farmer's battle.

Tom Kitching, of Lunds, near Hawes, in North Yorkshire, could lose everything if the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) continues to demand the return of subsidies.

The Rural Payments Agency is insisting Mr Kitching pays back £30,000 because he could not produce records of stock reductions for the past four years.

Even when he did find the relevant documentation, he was told the agency does not deal with retrospective applications and he would still have to repay the cash.

As a result, he is on the brink of losing his livestock, as well as the farm where he has lived all his life.

Union spokesman Rob Simpson said: "Farmers are finding the amount of form-filling necessary today to be increasingly onerous.

"If we appealed for anything, it would be for better communication. Defra is a massive, multi-faceted organisation these days and can be extremely complicated.

"Other organisations, such as the Food Standards Agency, are transparent, and all we would ask is that efforts are made to help make things simpler for farmers.''

Mr Kitching's problems began when he had to take over the administrative part of his business from his mother, who was dying from cancer.

Until then, he was responsible for the care of his animals, while she dealt with the paperwork.

Neighbours have since rallied round and 65-year-old Mr Kitching will meet Conservative MP William Hague today, in the hope of winning support in Westminster.

However, a spokeswoman for the Rural Payments Agency said Mr Kitching has the right of appeal.

She said: "Anyone who is dissatisfied with decisions can appeal to the regional manager.

"They also have the option of a complaint to an independent unit, which is not linked to the department's day-to-day affairs.''