Scientists move even if Joyce loses seat

Scientists from the federal government's pesticides agency will be moved to the electorate of Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce, even if he loses the seat to independent Tony Windsor.

Mr Joyce wants to relocate the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority from Canberra to Armidale in northern NSW, in his seat of New England.

"I don't believe Barnaby Joyce will lose but it goes ahead irrespective, it's an election commitment," Finance Minister Mathias Cormann told ABC radio on Tuesday.