NSW Farmers member quits executive in dispute over land clearing

Joshua Gilbert says he was told he would be publicly attacked if he spoke out against the association's policy on clearing of native vegetation

A dispute inside a New South Wales farming lobby group over permission to clear native vegetation has led to one of its most prominent voices resigning, after personal threats he alleges were made against him.

Joshua Gilbert, who was formerly the chair of the NSW Farmers young farmers committee and was also on the NSW Farmers executive, resigned last week citing "philosophical differences" over the group's policy on land clearing. He said he received threats from a member of NSW Farmers saying he would be publicly attacked if he spoke out against the policy.