STEVE SZKOTAK

Associated Press

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Virginia's influential farm lobby is backing a continuation of the state's 30-year ban on uranium mining.

The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation adopted the policy this week at its annual meeting in northern Virginia. The Farm Bureau has more than 146,000 member families in 88 county bureaus.

Andrew W. Smith of the Farm Bureau's governmental relations department told The Associated Press on Thursday that Farm Bureau delegates believe that uranium mining is not worth the risk to the state's multibillion dollar agriculture industry. He said there is a fear that an accident involving the mining and milling of the radioactive ore would have devastating effects for generations.

Virginia Uranium Inc. wants to mine a 119-milllion-pound deposit in Pittsylvania County. The ban must first be lifted.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.