Politicians from across the political spectrum, including Marine Tondelier, Gabriel Attal, François Hollande, and Éric Zemmour, are attending the Châlons Fair, the second-largest agricultural event in France. Held in the heart of the Champagne region, the fair attracts 800 exhibitors, including winemakers from Burgundy and Beaujolais. Recently, the government expanded the list of departments allowed to use tent accommodations for seasonal agricultural workers by adding four new regions—Rhône, Côte-d'Or, Saône-et-Loire, and Yonne—to the existing list of fifteen. This change impacts two major wine-growing regions, Burgundy and Beaujolais, where seasonal labor is crucial during harvests. Tent accommodation is an exception to the 1996 labor law, which mandates that seasonal workers be provided with permanent housing by their employer. A recent August 25 order has replaced this regulation, allowing for the use of tents under certain conditions. European Parliament member Anthony Smith (LFI) criticized the move, calling it unrealistic and arguing that tents are unsuitable for workers after long days of labor. The new rules require that tents be at least two meters high, include bedding provided and cleaned by the employer, and maintain a suitable temperature year-round. However, the order does not specify temperature limits, leaving room for interpretation. Unions CFDT Agri-agro and FGTA-FO have filed a complaint with the Council of State, arguing that agricultural workers are no different from others and that their health and safety should not be compromised by further exceptions to labor law. Meanwhile, the FDSEA of Saône-et-Loire welcomed the decision, calling it a "beautiful union victory" that supports seasonal employment and the competitiveness of the wine industry. The decree was signed by the ministers of Industry, Labor, and Agriculture, with the minister of Industry, Sébastien Martin, being a key supporter. Some, like Les Républicains deputy Lionel Duparay, believe the Ministry of Industry was the main driver behind the change, emphasizing the need for practical solutions for winemakers. The 2026 harvest season brought renewed attention to the dangers of extreme heat in agriculture, with two deaths reported during the summer heatwave. A 66-year-old retiree was found unconscious in a vineyard, and a 55-year-old worker was discovered dead in his truck. Authorities attributed the deaths to cardiac arrest linked to heat and pre-existing health conditions. However, unions have raised concerns about the role of extreme heat in these fatalities and have called for an investigation. The CGT Champagne union and others have emphasized that no product, no matter how valuable, should justify the loss of a worker's life. The 2026 harvests have revived memories of the 2023 "harvests of shame," when six seasonal workers died, sparking widespread criticism. Despite these concerns, the government has largely avoided addressing the underlying issues. The prefect of the Marne warned against making the deaths a symbol of state neglect. Meanwhile, union leaders have proposed solutions such as setting legal temperature limits for outdoor work and creating a "high social value" label for responsible employers. Anthony Smith has suggested forming cooperative accommodations for seasonal workers and holding major champagne houses accountable for their subcontractors' practices.