Brussels, 04/11/2003 (Agence Europe) - In its adoption of the report by Herman Bösch (PES, Austria) on the European Commission's report on OLAF's activities, the EP's Budgetary Control Committee has harshly criticised the inadequacies of the Anti-Fraud Office of the EU managed by Franz-Hermann Bruener, four years after its inception. MEPs criticised the inefficiency of the inquiries, the lack of protection for those involved and the inconsistency of OLAF's communication policy (which demands silence on the part of institutions but itself "leaks" information to the media). The European Commission was also criticised for presenting its report on OLAF's activities over a year late. The Bösch report, which notes that the Eurostat affair brought to light the serious problems referred to in OLAF's inquiry activities (see previous page), also expressed concern at how long the inquiries last: if more than nine months, the EP should be informed. MEPs called for a hearing to be held in January 2004 on the effectiveness of OLAF inquiries, under the responsibility of the Supervisory Committee of the Office (five independent outside persons appointed by common accord of the Parliament, Council and Commission). They feel the Supervisory Committee should have a greater role, and be transferred from OLAF to the EP. They also call for OLAF to look at the sectors in which most investigations have been launched: structural funds, trade, external aid, agriculture, etc.