The group of five to 10 people, mostly from Santa Cruz County, call themselves the Fragaria Freedom Farmers. The European Union wants to assure nations the right to reject imports of things like modified soybeans, while the United States and a few allies oppose such restrictions. They still were negotiating late Friday.
Little evidence exists that genetically altered food is harmful to people.
But critics say too little research has been done. Spoiled meat could be recalled, they say. Nelson denied repeated requests for an interview. However, Plant Sciences does hold permits from the U.S. Department of Agriculture going back to 1997 to splice strawberry genes. The permit documents also state that no environmental assessments were submitted on the work.