This European Standard defines general rules for the enumeration of enterococci in feed samples (additives, premixtures and feeding stuffs) that contain enterococci (E. faecium) as a single microorganism component or in a mixture with other microorganisms. This standard is not applicable to mineral feeds which are defined as complementary feedingstuffs composed mainly of minerals and containing at least 40% crude ash (Council Directive 79/373/EEC) [3].There are different categories of feed samples:a) Additives containing about 1010 colony forming units (CFU)/g;b) Premixtures containing 108 CFU/g;c) Feeds, meal or pellets which contain about 106 CFU/g and in