Pressure is ramping up on Labor to end land clearing and native forest logging after more than 250 scientists signed an open letter ahead of the party’s national conference.

Biodiversity Council co-chair Hugh Possingham said tens of millions of native animals were being killed by the bulldozing of their homes each year.

Dr Possingham said an end to land clearing was needed to protect vulnerable biodiversity.

“The destruction doesn’t end there, the fragmentation of their habitat leaves those animals exposed to predation by feral animals and localised extinctions caused by drought, bushfires, ecosystem collapse and disease,” he said.

It comes after reports that hundreds of local Labor branches passed draft motions calling on the party to end broadscale land clearing and move to the full use of plantation timber ahead of the next election, which is due by May 2025.

It’s paved the way for Labor’s internal environmental action network to bring the debate to the national conference in Brisbane next week, where Labor’s parliamentary team, party members and unionists will gather to hash out party policy.

Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie hit out against the push, telling AAP such a move would mean Labor was running away from workers and regional Australia.

She said Australia’s native forest industry was world-class and every tree that was replanted and managed was done so in accordance with the best scientific practice.

“Native forestry is the ultimate renewable resource, a carbon sink and a critical industry and employer for many regional communities,” she said.

“It is unconscionable for the Labor Party to be considering a motion to end native logging.

“The loony left is clearly in charge and this shows they are more interested in mimicking the Greens instead of acting in the national interest.”

– AAP