Going against a recommendation from California desert grape growers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has withdrawn a proposal to remove varietal exemptions from the desert grape marketing order. The proposal would have required inspections of all imported grapes from April 10 to July 10.

The USDA said the current varietal exemptions for table grapes grown in Southeastern California and imported grapes will continue to be in effect.

The USDA said the proposal, which was recommended by the California Desert Grape Administrative Committee, would have required that all domestic grapes from the regulated production area and grapes imported from April 10 to July 10 meet the same minimum quality, grade, size, maturity and inspection requirements.

“After reviewing and considering the comments received, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has determined that the proposed rule to remove varietal exemptions from the order and the table grape import regulation should not be finalized,” the USDA said in a news release.

The USDA said a notice announcing the withdrawal of the proposed rule was published in the Oct. 25 Federal Register. The proposed rule had been published in the Federal Register in June 2017, followed by a 60-day comment period.