DEPUTY Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has hit out at a Labor plan to introduce new federal laws governing tree clearing.

Under the Opposition's climate change policy, which was released yesterday, a new "trigger" for federal environmental oversight of tree clearing would be introduced.

Tree clearing, along with most land management activities, has been a state government responsibility, but Labor would treat it in the same way as Tony Windsor's water trigger on coal and coal seam gas projects.

Mr Joyce said it amounted to a "federal policeman" on farms around the country and could affect land-owners' ability to manage vegetation.

Labor's policy document indicates the party will consider ways the federal government can oversee state government activities on tree clearing, including nationally consistent reporting of the practice.

It said it was in part a response to the Newman government's land clearing reforms in Queensland.