Live Q&A: Environment secretary Caroline Spelman

Caroline Spelman, the new secretary of state for environment , food and rural affairs, will be answering your questions live today at 1.15pm BST. Please post your questions in the comments below. Defra's brief is broad: from national parks and wildlife, to farming and fisheries, to air pollution and flooding. The coalition government's agreement contains 18 pledges for Defra, including: • A "zero waste" economy where councils pay people to recycle • A national tree planting campaign • A vote on repealing the hunting ban • "Science-led" badger control So should badgers be culled ? How can the UK's dwindling biodiversity be protected? How can farmers combine producing safe, ethical food and caring for the land ? Over to you.