CAMEL experts have attacked Australian plans to kill wild dromedaries on the grounds their flatulence adds to global warming.

The idea is "false and stupid ... a scientific aberration", the International Society of Camelid Research and Development declared, adding that camels were being made culprits for a man-made problem.

"We believe that the good-hearted people and innovating nation of Australia can come up with better and smarter solutions than eradicating camels," it said.

The kill-a-camel suggestion was floated in a paper distributed by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, as part of consultations for reducing our carbon footprint.

The scheme is the brainchild of Adelaide-based Northwest Carbon, a land and animal management consultancy which proposes killing feral camels in exchange for carbon credits.

Camels were introduced in the 19th century to help settlers cope with hot, arid conditions. Now, they number about 1.2 million and are a pest because of damage they cause to vegetation.

Originally published as Outrage at plan to cull wild camels