Marty Bella from Greens Shirts Queensland, a movement for regional and rural Australians, condemned the actions of the protesters and Yangan abattoir staff. "There was a negotiation with the proprietors so by the time police got there the deal was done," he said. The proprietors agreed not to make a formal complaint, meaning the activists escaped arrest - with their sheep. Vegan protesters block one of Melbourne's busiest intersections. Credit:Zach Hope Separately, nine activists said they had locked themselves onto a Goulburn slaughterhouse in NSW since 2am to shine a light on what they said was the "oxymoron of humane slaughter".

Loading NSW Police said nine people had been arrested at Goulburn after the owner of the abattoir asked the protesters to leave about 4am, but they allegedly refused. "Goulburn police rescue cut the people free and arrested them at the scene," a spokesperson said. "Three women refused to walk from the abattoir and had to be carried to the police vehicle." Three men, one aged 46 and two aged 22, and six women, aged between 21 and 61 were due to be charged at the Goulburn police station. The protesters inside Carey Bros abattoir in Yangan, southern Queensland. Credit:Green Shirts Movement QLD - Facebook

Activists have also let down truck tyres to block entrances and exits at three locations across Victoria, including MC Herd at Geelong, Westside Meats at Bacchus Marsh, and O'Connor Beef at Pakenham. Several activists filmed themselves blocking the entrance of Australian Food Group's pig slaughterhouse in Laverton. Chris Delforce from the Dominion movement said activists were prepared to be arrested and to pay the price to highlight their cause. Protesters being moved by police about 9am. Credit:Zach Hope "Yes there's trespass involved in the actions today," he said.

Loading "We've been trying to draw attention to what's been happening for many years. It's easy for people to ignore things that aren't dramatic. When you go in there, it's forcing people to look and make that call as to whether that's something they're OK with." He said members of the public delayed by the protests could end up feeling more angry about the animal abuses he said they were highlighting. "Often they get angry, that it's been hidden from them for so long and hidden behind these words like 'ethical' and 'happy meat'; people are frustrated that they've been sold this lie for so long," he said. "What's happening to animals in this country has to end, it's a disgrace."

The protests follow the release of the Dominion movement's Aussie Farms Map, which details farmers' addresses and contact details and the locations of animal-processing plants across the country. Morrison scolds 'green-collared criminals' Prime Minister Scott Morrison lashed out at the "shameful, un-Australian" protesters and said the Commonwealth was prepared to join or bankroll a civil lawsuit brought by any affected farmers against the activists. "I think state and territory governments should ensure the full force of the law is brought against these green-collared criminals," Mr Morrison told reporters on Monday. "If there are pastoralists, farmers, graziers that are in a position to bring a civil action against these groups ... the Commonwealth is totally open to supporting them in a test case [against] these green criminals."