Several MEPs, led by Hungarian MEP György HÖLVÉNYI (EPP) and Finnish MEP Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN (EPP), have signed a letter to EU Environment Commissioner Karmenu VELLA calling for an EU-wide ban on cyanide technologies used in gold mining. While an European Parliament resolution on 5 May 2010 already called on the European Commission to propose a complete ban, former Environment Commissioner Janez POTOČNIK “declined” to enforce the resolution. MEPs from five of the EP’s seven political groups—EPP, S&D, ALDE, GUE/NGL and Greens/EFA—have signed the letter, signaling the importance of the issue.