The agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union is a real relief for the French agricultural sector.

Because the territory across the Channel is of capital importance for the French international market.

So obviously, the non-return of customs duties at the border is seen as a relief. 

An agreement has finally been reached between the European Union and the United Kingdom on post-Brexit trade.

With some exceptions, if a product does not comply with British regulations, there will be no customs duties for the 120,000 French companies that have a commercial link with the United Kingdom.

Obviously this is a relief, especially for French farmers.

"It is obvious that it will make things easier," confirms at the microphone of Europe 1 Arnold Puech d'Alissac, in charge of Brexit issues for the FNSEA.

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A market representing 6 billion euros

"We need to export to the United Kingdom, it is France's number one customer. Between meat, fruit and vegetables, dairy products and wine, it represents 6 billion euros in turnover each year", he recalls.

An agreement all the more saving as a "no deal" would have rhyme with the return of taxes which can climb up to 20% on certain products, customs duties "which would have greatly disrupted the market". 

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The return of "paperwork" for dairy products

But Brexit is not without consequences either.

If customs duties were avoided at the last

minute, 

future trade relations between London and Brussels will be littered with controls and new administrative constraints, from January 1, 2021. Procedures which will apply in particular to French cheeses and yogurts.

"We are going to be asked for new health documents for the entry of our products into British territory", explains Bertrand Rouault, co-president of the Association for French dairy processing.

The return of a "paperwork" forgotten for years which could all the same lengthen the delivery times, even increase the costs.