There's a call for animal medicines to be removed from the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act.

Agcarm, an agrichemical and animal remedy manufacturers organisation, is working with Federated Farmers and vets to have the medicines, including  antibiotics, vaccines and flea treatments, exempted from the act.

The HSNO act is currently being reviewed by the Environmental Risk Management Authority.

Agcarm chief executive Graeme Peters says animal medicines are already regulated under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act and the extra approval just adds more compliance costs - $2.5 million a year.

Mr. Peters says making veterinary medicines exempt from the Act would reduce regulation costs and mean a greater range of products for farmers at more competitive prices.