Pithing

as a humane means of immobilizing small animals being observed in experiments, and while once common in commercial slaughtering is no longer practiced in some developed countries on animals intended for the human food supply due to the risks of embedded metal fragments and general spread of disease.

[citation needed] It is, however, encouraged for animals in emergency or specific disease control situations where the meat will not be consumed.

Double pithing destroys the spinal cord, thus killing the animal, and also may reduce the reflex kicking which occurs at stunning, and so contribute to the safety of the slaughterer.

When animals must be killed humanely on farms for disease control purposes or in an emergency situation, disposable pithing rods allow the slaughterer to adopt best practice.

In the case of outbreak of notifiable or epidemic disease, government agencies and welfare organisations may develop contingency plans.