A Queensland government plan to overturn a ban on killing bats is an inhumane and backward step, a wildlife group says.

The Liberal National Party (LNP) government will issue damage mitigation permits to farmers who have unsuccessfully tried non-lethal methods of getting rid of flying foxes.

The permits will allow farmers to kill bats, a practice that was banned in 2008 by the Labor government.

"If you've tried to get rid of the flying foxes in a non-lethal method we will issue damage mitigation permits," Natural Resources Minister Andrew Cripps told ABC Radio.

"Sometimes you have to do it to protect livelihoods, and we're certainly willing to do it to protect industries and employment in regional and rural Queensland."