Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce has been slammed for his decision to relocate three Research and Development Corporations.

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has condemned Mr Joyce for what it calls a “politically selfish and expensive decision”.

Mr Joyce announced the relocations earlier this week.

The CPSU says it is also concerned about ongoing uncertainty for staff at the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), with a review underway to decide if the organisation will be relocated to Mr Joyce’s own NSW electorate of New England.

“The relocation of these important agencies is completely illogical. It is causing immense stress and disruption to the highly skilled workers who make these organisations what they are, as well as costing taxpayers tens of millions of dollars without delivering any tangible benefits,” CPSU Deputy National President Rupert Evans said.

“This decision appears to be pork barrelling of the most selfish kind from Barnaby Joyce, playing political games with the lives of these highly skilled professional workers and wasting scarce public money for no good reason.”

“Much of the expertise in these Research and Development Corporations has already been lost, with staff leaving in the face of an uncertain futures. Those who remain now face the extremely difficult choice of either leaving their jobs or uprooting their lives and families and moving across the country for no good reason.”

“The CPSU is a strong supporter of public sector jobs in regional communities, but there needs to be evidence-based decision making from politicians. Moving these agencies is a mistake.”

“The continuing uncertainty over APVMA is causing real harm, with a number of valuable staff leaving the organisation or actively looking for alternative employment, but that’s nothing compared to the loss of expertise that will occur if this relocation goes ahead.”

“We are also concerned by recent bizarre claims that keeping APVMA in Canberra will cost $20 million dollars. This appears a fairly transparent attempt to make the far greater expense of relocating an entire agency and its workforce look reasonable. The fact is that relocating will be expensive, with tax payers and industry ultimately footing the bill, and totally counterproductive.”

“The people who work at all of these agencies deserve better, as do their children and other family members who are facing such unreasonable disruption to their lives, all so the Minister for Agriculture can shore up his own political future.”