The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) published its Annual Report which summarises OLAF's achievements in 2011. Among the main results, OLAF handled 463 cases in 2011, and the highest recoveries were recorded in the structural funds sector (€524.7 million), followed by customs (€113.7 million) and agriculture (€34 million).

The results of the Annual Report of the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) show that OLAF's investigations led to the recovery of €691 million and a cumulative 511 years of prison sentences being issued by Member State courts. Overall, OLAF handled 463 investigation and coordination cases in 2011. 122 of these cases related to EU staff, 89 to the agricultural sector, 67 to external aid, and 64 to structural funds. Also in 2011, the European Court of Auditors published the report on the implement the recommendations to refocus activities of the European Anti-Fraud Office.

In addition, the report shows that OLAF opened 178 new cases, 80% of which were investigations. 208 investigative and coordination cases were closed during the year. Also the clearance rate, i.e. the ratio of cases opened and closed, improved and fell below one. The average duration of cases increased slightly to 29.1 months. Both of these phenomena can be explained by the relatively large number of cases closed during the year.

OLAF's Director-General, Giovanni Kessler stressed that thanks to OLAF's investigations, a considerable amount of money was recovered to EU taxpayers and a large number of criminals were brought to justice in national courts for crimes against the EU budget. He also announced that OLAF will increase the focus on the efficiency and results of its investigations and strengthen the cooperation with our partners both within and outside the EU.