BUDGET: INCREASE IN OLAF'S ANTI-FRAUD ACTIVITIES.

(From European Report)

The Office's Activity Report indicates that some 552 new cases were opened during the reference period, bringing the total number of cases in OLAF's Case Management System (CMS) up to 2,900 (an increase of 30% on the Office's first two years of activity). Of the 552 cases opened, 174 cases referred to direct expenditure (32%), 112 cases (20%) concerned customs and trade, 81 cases (15%) involved structural funds, 77 cases (14%) were agricultural, 63 cases (11%) were internal cases and 45 cases (or 8% of the caseload) involved cigarettes and excise. There were 154 internal cases relating to the EU institutions on OLAF's books at the end of the reporting period (May 31, 2002). More than 75% of the internal cases concern the European Commission.

The high priority given last year to corruption and fraud within European institutions and a policy of "zero …