Controversial agency move to be looked at

The federal government's controversial decision to relocate its pesticides agency to Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce's electorate will come under the spotlight of a parliamentary committee.

The Senate has agreed to investigate the process of moving commonwealth entities with agricultural policy, especially the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority from Canberra to Armidale.

The inquiry will be the first detailed look at how the authority will perform its functions from the new location and any consequent risks to human and animal health, productivity and Australia's trading reputation, Labor's agriculture spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon said on Thursday.